Sept. 1, 1942 — Aug. 31, 2016
Phyllis Ann Morgan Downhour, 73, passed away at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, on Aug. 31, 2016. She was born on Sept. 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, to Hart Charles Humphries and Myrtle Lee Parnell. She married her high school sweetheart, Dennis L. Downhour, in Huntington Beach, California, on Sept. 15, 2001.
Phyllis was raised in Lynwood, California, and attended Lynwood High School. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She wasn’t able to bear children of her own, so she adopted two boys – offering them a life full of love they could have never imagined.
Phyllis lived in Utah for a short time, but spent most of her life in Huntington Beach, California. She and Dennis moved to Kamiah, Idaho, in 2002. She worked as a bank teller for over 20 years at Security Pacific Bank, which was later bought out by Bank of America. She was very artistic and loved to draw and paint. She made elaborate hand-made costumes for her boys at Halloween. She also learned to clog and performed often at Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and other venues with her son, Russ.
Her friendliness and kindness to all people, and her devotion and love for animals is a tribute to her heart and soul. She made amazing quilts and won awards for them at the Orange County Fair. Later in life she returned to her love of painting and took lessons to improve her skill. She also took up playing the violin and was asked to play her music at many church services. She encouraged her sons to be active in Scouting and helped them attain the rank of Eagle Scout. She and her son Ray appeared on Good Morning America to celebrate that accomplishment and his Eagle project of providing toys at Christmas to less fortunate children. At age 72, she was a Webelos den mother, driving down the mountainside and swervy roads every week to serve the young Scouts she loved so much.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents: Hart & Myrtle Humphries; sister, Paula; and her loyal and most loved feline companion, Bogie.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Downhour of St. George, Utah; sister, Karen (Lindsay) Lindsey of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; her sons: Ray (Heather) Morgan of Victorville, California; Russ (Marilyn) Morgan of Spanish Fork, Utah, Darren Downhour of Victorville, California, Jeff Downhour of Huntington Beach, California, and Danny Downhour of Gardena, California; grandchildren: Ryan Morgan, Derek Morgan, Alicia Morgan, Nick Jackson, Blaine (Christina) Morgan, Arista Morgan, Ariel Morgan, Jayden Morgan, Darren Downhour, Marianne Downhour, and Donovan Downhour; great-grandson: Luke Russell Morgan; great-granddaughter: Lilha Downhour; nieces, nephews, many friends, and her beloved cats: Noki, Bootsie, Paris, and Kiki.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held at Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 7906 Pickering Ave, Whittier, California.
- Visitations will be held Thursday, Sept. 8, from 1-3 p.m., at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah, and Saturday at 12:15 p.m. prior to services.
- Interment will be at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.