Phyllis Ann Barrett Horton was born October 10, 1940 in Hillsville, Virginia. After growing up on Coon Ridge Road, Phyllis graduated from Hillsville High School in 1958 and pursued a nursing degree from Lewis Gale School of Nursing where she graduated as a RN in 1961. She married the love of her life, Elden Horton, shortly before her graduation. Upon graduation, she began working as an OB nurse at Waddell Hospital in Galax, Virginia.

Within their first two years of marriage, their only child, Karen, was born. Phyllis enjoyed raising her somewhat spirited daughter and, together as a small family, shared many special times. She shared her love of white pants in the summer with Karen, who also passed that on to her girls. She told her granddaughters to always wear lipstick because, "you never know when you might meet the love of your life."

Shortly after Karen was born, Phyllis began working at Wonderknit in Galax, Virginia as the plant nurse and then on to Sprague Electric in Hillsville, where she served as plant nurse for many years.

When Sprague Electric began reducing their workforce, Phyllis transitioned back to OB at Twin County Hospital, and it was there that she finished her nursing career in 2004. She loved nursing and welcoming new babies into the world.

In 1983, Karen married David Jones, and the family began to grow. Grandbabies arrived in the family in 1989 with Emily and again in 1995 with Sarah Kate. Phyllis was lovingly known as "Nana" to her granddaughters. She spoiled them with love and gifts she thought little girls should have. She always liked to buy them new outfits throughout the year and started them on their American Girl doll collection. She also made sure they had bedroom shoes to keep their feet clean and warm – barefoot was not an option. She and Elden took the girls on picnics, plays at The Barter, and enjoyed eating out together at their favorite restaurants including The Farmhouse and Shatley Springs.

Phyllis enjoyed shopping, eating out, and a good piece of cake with a cup of coffee. She was a lifelong member of Dalton Hill Christian Church where she served in many capacities from teaching classes to Deaconess.

She began her journey with dementia in 2014, and while a debilitating illness, it did allow her family to see a different side of her. She laughed and said things that she would have been too reserved to say usually, and it resulted in the family being able to share in laughter and lighter moments. It was very important to Elden to care for her in the home for as long as possible, and he did so while battling illnesses at times himself. She passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022, at home in her own bed with family by her side.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 61 years, Elden, her daughter Karen, and her husband David Jones; as well as granddaughters, Emily and Sarah Kate, and Sarah Kate's husband Lucas Peed. She would have looked forward to becoming a great grandmother to the baby boy that is anticipated to arrive in December. Phyllis is also survived by her sister Mary McKnight and husband Ralph, brother David Barrett and his wife Rejeana. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Claude W. and Launia Walker Barrett, sister Marie Horton, and brother Doug Barrett. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that were greatly cherished.

Visitation will be Thursday, 6:00pm-8:00pm at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, VA. The funeral will be Friday, June 24th at 11:00 am at Dalton Hill Christian Church with burial in the Dalton Hill Cemetery immediately following the service. If you would like to make a memorial gift, please consider Dalton Hill Cemetery c/o Glenna Joyce 143 Robinson Dr. Woodlawn, VA 24381 or to Dalton Hill Church P.O. Box 790 Hillsville, VA 24343. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.