Beloved mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend and mentor, Phyllis (Reed) Davis Walker, passed away June 3, 2026 at the age of 85. She was born on September 1, 1940, in Lubbock, Texas, to parents Clarence Reed and Geneva (Bryans) Reed.
Raised in Lubbock, Phyllis graduated from Monterey High School before continuing her education at Texas Tech University. While at Tech, she became an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, which she joyfully continued throughout her life, earning her 65-year-pin in 2024. She was honored as a member of Mortar Board, was voted Queen of Delta Tau Delta, and graduated within three years. Phyllis also holds a Master of Art Education degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
She was married to Donald Davis for 13 years. They enjoyed an early married life full of dear friends, love, fun and adventure in Sherman, Texas. Their bond continued for life.
In Sherman, Phyllis quickly became a force for good. She was a leader in the Sherman Service League among other civic and volunteer activities, including support for the community theater and leading a beloved Bluebird troop of Camp Fire Girls. She continued to grow as a talented acrylic and watercolor artist as well as violist and pianist.
Phyllis went on to build a successful career in real estate, owning Davis Realtors in Sherman for many years before leading Ebby Halliday Realtors in Lewisville and opening Ebby offices in Frisco and McKinney. She was known for her grace, professionalism, genuine care for others and fun-loving personality that filled every room she entered — some might say “outsized,” and she would have accepted that as a high compliment. Phyllis developed lasting relationships with colleagues and clients throughout her career. Her passions were mentoring other Realtors, walking alongside first-time home buyers and keeping active in her local, state and national professional organizations.
Phyllis broke barriers as the first female member and president of Rotary International in Sherman. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and went on to remain actively involved in Rotary everywhere she lived and worked. Its values of truth, fairness and service above self were critically important to her.
Later, life brought her an unexpected and extraordinary gift: a reunion with her close friend from elementary through high school, Homer Ray Walker. He became the great love of her life. They were united in marriage on June 29, 2000, in McKinney and they enjoyed the blessings of life side by side for a meaningful, but much too brief, time. Together, they were avid travelers, even hosting their blended family for several memorable trips, and they worked as business partners in real estate. It was a love story for the ages.
Phyllis was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Sherman and McKinney, and Trietsch Memorial United Methodist in Flower Mound. She loved traveling with her friends, Carol Goodman, Diane Curran, Ava Ray and Sue Skirvin. She continued her art, reading clubs and dedication to friendships until frontal lobe dementia robbed her of those abilities. Her family will forever be deeply grateful for the loving care she received at Highland Springs Senior Living Community.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Melissa Atkinson (husband, Hugh) of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Macy Atkinson of Brooklyn, New York; and a host of extended family members, colleagues and friends who will forever carry her memory with love. Her creative, intelligent and mischievous spirit lives on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Geneva Reed and husband, Homer Ray Walker.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/, where a recording will also be available afterward. A reception and celebration of her life will follow at Turrentine Jackson Morrow.