Phyllis Elaine Bowman-Stroud

Phyllis Elaine Bowman-Stroud was born on October 6, 1948 in Kansas City, MO to Geraldine Vaughn and Kenneth Snelling, she was their only child. Her parents divorced when she was four and her father wasn’t part of her life after that. Her mom remarried and that union gave her a sister and brother, Vickie and Craig Rutherford. She loved the role of big sister. She loved them both very much and had a strong desire to protect and love them. Being a big sister was the beginning of her love of being a mom, which she called her legacy.

Phyllis was an exceptional mom to Bryon and Andie. She showered her kids with love, affection, and attention. She was fiercely protective and fought for them tirelessly, if you didn’t treat them the way she saw fit you would know about it. She was very close to her mom, Gerry, they loved each other very much. She was lucky enough to find her “true dad” when Gerry married Leroy Willis. Leroy was the missing piece of her heart that she deserved. A dad. She loved hanging out with them playing cards, going dancing, concerts, etc.

Phyllis and her brother Craig were very close too and she loved to get under his skin, but making him smile was what she really loved. She had many good friends, Sue Crabtree was her best. They were quite a pair and I’m sure they are laughing together now.

She was loyal, loving, and fun. She always had a smile on her face and she absolutely loved to laugh. Laughter and smiles were her calling card. She loved music, dancing and she seeing those she loved happy and celebrating their lives. To quote her, “Laugh a lot, laughter is a choice.”

Phyllis was a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She was married twice, first to Kenneth Bowman, with whom she had a son, Kenneth Bryon Bowman, and then to Carl Stroud. While both ended in divorce, she always loved and respected both men and remained friends with them until the end of her life.

Phyllis was the glue that held her family together with love, laughter, and fight. When she saw her niece needed unconditional love, Phyllis became a mom again to Andie Stroud. She loved being a mom above all else, but being a “Nana” was pure joy. She was crazy about her grandkids Lucas Bowman, Chloe Bowman, Greta Bowman, and Ava VandenHul.

She became ill late in 2021 and lost her battle on February 5, 2022. It feels too soon, but her life was full. She was a character, she loved, and she was loved.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her mother Geraldine Willis. She is survived by her father Leroy Willis; her brother Craig Rutherford; sister Vickie Ghadyani; son Bryon Bowman; daughter Andie VandenHul; granddaughters Ava VandenHul, Chloe and Greta Bowman; grandson Lucas Bowman and daughter in law Kathy Bowman.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, Kansas, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m.

Memorial Donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City in honor of Phyllis online by clicking here .