Phyllis Marie (Cory) Hembree, 89, passed away on July 17, 2024 at Reflection Living Hutchinson.

Phyllis was born in Longton, KS on November 5, 1934, to Freddie Alfred Cory and Mary Isabella (Weidner) Cory.

Phyllis attended school at Oak Valley in Longton through her junior year. She moved to Lyons, KS to help her sister, and she decided to get a job at the local Rexall drugstore. She rented a room and finished high school, graduating in 1952.

Phyllis met an oilfield worker, Bob, who she assisted in the drug store with a smashed thumb.   She married Bob on May 28, 1953 in Lyons, KS and then moved to Ness City, KS in 1961.

Phyllis and Bob raised four kids and ran a successful oilfield corporation, Derrick Inn Motel, Park Motel, and the Frigid Creme.  Phyllis was also active as a den leader for her three sons' Cub Scouts and daughter's Girl Scouts troops.  She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, painting, and crafts, and had a passion for traveling the world with Bob and friends, and also entertained friends and family locally.

Survivors include 3 sons, Fred (Sherry) Hembree, Hutchinson; Bobby Hembree, Garden City; Steve (Joy) Hembree, Great Bend; 1 daughter, Tena (Rod) Wasinger, Bennington, 11 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, 5 sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, I. Helen Dexter and F. Mae Larkin; and daughter-in-law, Diana Hembree.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, followed with the burial service in the Ness City Cemetery. The family would like to extend an invitation for lunch at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, following the burial. Viewing will be on the morning of July 24,2024 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home beginning at 9 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the National Alzheimer's Association.

Words of comfort and support may be left for the family by signing the guestbook.