Phyllis Ruth (Ridley) David, 79, of Cheyenne died Sept. 1 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Phyllis was born to Elvin and Helen Ridley on July 9, 1928, in Sheridan and attended school in Sheridan, graduating in 1946. She married Elwood David in June of 1946 and settled on a family homestead near Decker, Mont. They later moved to Sheridan, then Lusk. Upon their divorce, Phyllis moved to Rapid City, S.D., where she attended college. Later she moved to Casper, attended college and worked as a bookkeeper for Centralift, Getty Oil, the State of Wyoming, then moved to Cheyenne and worked for Occupational Safety and Health Administration until her retirement in 1996.

She returned to Sheridan until 2004 when she moved back to Cheyenne due to health reasons. Phyllis’s youngest daughter, Beth, cared for her during her remaining years on dialysis.

Ms. David was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheridan, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Casper.

She was a member of Sheridan County Cattlewomen, Sheridan County Historical Society, Cheyenne Artist’s Guild, Casper Artist’s Guild, Casper Desk and Derrick Club, Nicolaysen Art Center in Casper, Wyoming Heritage Society, Wyoming Artist’s Association, Cheyenne Visual Arts Association, and Women’s Executive Commission to the Governor.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Melody and Dennis Newell of Esterbrook, Merry and David Potter of Sheridan, Van and Pam David of Big Horn, Faye and Gordon Potter of Rapid City, and Beth and Jay Mullendore of Cheyenne; a brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Shirley Ridley of Argyle, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Ms. David was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin E. and Helen Ridley and a sister, Elaine Chutich.

Cremation has taken place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens under the direction of Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes.

Phyllis loved “her” Big Horn mountains and she enjoyed acting, writing, dancing, painting, and sewing and crafts. She was a loving and compassionate person and was loved dearly by her family and friends.

She will be missed immensely. A memorial service will be held in Sheridan at a later date and her family and friends will gather on her birthday next year in the Big Horn Mountains to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to the Sheridan Historical Society or the National Kidney Foundation.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - September 6, 2007