Phyllis Jackson

Phyllis Jackson, 86, of Amarillo, passed away on January 6, 2025.

The family will receive guests on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10 am, at First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin Ave. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery on US HWY 136 Fritch, Texas, at 2 pm. 

Phyllis Jean Little Jackson was born to Horace and Alice Little on March 31,1938 in Pampa, Texas. 

Talent runs in the "Little" family blood, so Phyllis took several avenues to find something she could do better than her older brother, Joe Dean Little. She took dancing, skate dancing, piano, and learned from her mother painting and lettering signs. But after she saw a twirler in the parade, she knew she found her niche. 

Her Dad made her first baton from a broomstick. After much practice, she started teaching neighborhood kids at age 14. Phyllis was on a path of having fun in many arts. Before too long she had become quite skilled at twirling and won the honor of Miss Majorette of America in 1958. She could do finger twirls so fast with her left hand you could hear the wind whip.

In high school, as twirler for the band, at a football game she met Ron Jackson a player on the team. Their dates mostly were going out to feed Ron's FFA bull, which once sold, helped them purchase their wedding rings. 

As the marriage began, Ron went to work for Santa Fe Railroad. Phyllis opened her Little Petite dance studio in Borger in1956, and the studio was in business in many locations for over 25 years. Within the first year of marriage the children began to arrive, Lori, Mark, Jamie, and Kristi. 

After moving to Amarillo from Borger, Phyllis became involved in the Amarillo Little Theater and was one of the leads and dancers in the production "The Boyfriend". She also had a brief touch of fame when she was an extra in the movie "Hud, with Paul Newman, but as the years passed, Phyllis hoped her scene sitting in a bus wouldn't land on the cutting room floor. 

As Ron's career with the railroad would take them back and forth between Amarillo and Topeka, KS, Phyllis continued running her dance studios with the help of her mother and daughter Lori. She also decided to expand her horizons and try new careers. She was the Marketing Director for Western Plaza, became a Sales representative for Kraft foods, and it wasn't long till she caught the bug to become a travel agent and then on to becoming a Cruise Counselor. Phyllis enjoyed taking client groups on many different cruise ships, but most of the 79 cruises she sailed were with Ron and occasionally with her kids and grandkids so they could experience her love of travel. 

In recent years, Phyllis proudly loved her little Brussels Griffon dogs, Betty, and presently Abby. She enjoyed singing and performing with the "Happy Timers" group through the First Christian Church. Phyllis also moved into the Continental Independent Senior community where she made many good friends and acquaintances including a very special friendship with Orville Harney. 

Phyllis is proceeded in death by her husband Ronald W Jackson, her parents HD & Alice Little, her brother Joe Dean Little, and brother-in-law Maurice Cowen, and infant son Jamie Don Jackson.

She's survived by her sister in laws June Jackson Cowen, of Topeka, Ks and Eileen Little, of Amarillo. Her children, Lori and Todd Mayfield, of New Braunfels, TX, Mark & Angie Jackson, of Seabrook, TX, and Kristi & Steve Thomas of Amarillo. 

 Phyllis was blessed with 9 grandkids, Rachel & husband Chad Darby, of Fort Worth, Leah & husband Mike Strahan, of Austin, Amanda & husband Clay Chambers of Simpsonville, SC., Brady & wife Natalie Jackson of Santa Monica, CA, Logan & wife Rachel Thomas of Amarillo, Zack & wife Kimbra Thomas of Okarche, OK, and Trae Jackson Thomas of Amarillo. Bonus grandkids, Brianna & husband Jason Grubbs of Watonga, OK, and Michael Mayfield of Seattle, WA. 

 The 17 great grandchildren are Bailey Toler, Peyton Ryan, Calvin Ryan, Trip & Landry Strahan, Jackson, Beau, & Averi Chambers, Zoë Jackson, Angel, Kyler, & Cade Thomas, and Barrett & Lyla Thomas. Bonus great grandkids Keilee, Brooklyn, & Heston Grubbs. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews.