Phyllis Sanford was born in Kansas City, Mo, on August 13, 1934, to Elizabeth (Leornard) and Wallace Journey. She left this earth September 10, 2025. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Leonard Journey and Jay Journey, one sister, Bernice Collins (Henry), one son, Joseph Wallace McCurdy, one grandson, Wally Adam McCurdy, and one great-granddaughter, Arianna Lindsey. She is survived by one son, Ronald McCurdy (Mary), one daughter, Martha DeVries (Mike), daughter-in-law, Debbie Monk, grandchildren John McCurdy (Wendy), Solomon Garrison (Bethany), Alisha McCurdy (Chris), Hannah Lohr (Greg), Haley Medellin (Braxton), and great-grandchildren Zeda Anderson (Caleb), Jack McCurdy, Elsie and Emersyn Lohr, Theo and Birdie Medellin, Briella Garrison, and Marley McCurdy, along with several nieces and nephews.

Phyllis graduated from Eldorado Springs High School in 1952 and soon after, moved to Kansas City and started working at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company from where she retired after 38 years of service. She lived most of her adult life in Springfield, Mo, and at the time of her death she was a member at National Heights Baptist Church.

Although she faced many struggles and experienced great loss throughout her lifetime, she had a zest for life and enjoyed things like square dancing, traveling, caring for stray cats, and spending time with friends and family.

She was committed to her family and spent her entire life loving each person sacrificially. Additionally, she had a tender heart toward others and was especially touched by those who struggled with addiction and homelessness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Victory Mission of Springfield, M0, National Heights Baptist Church, or Watching Over Whiskers Feline Fund (Springfield, MO).

Services are be coordinated by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home and will take place at National Heights Baptist Church on Friday, September 19. The family will receive visitors at 10 am followed by a memorial service at 11 am. A private burial will take place at Stockton Cemetery.