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Mrs. Phyllis Calvi Brister, 73, died Friday, September 1, 2023, at her home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Oxford.
Phyllis was born on October 17, 1949, to the late Betty Lee and Felix Calvi. From a young age, she was known for her generous and kind spirit. Phyllis exuded pure love and could brighten the day of anyone that crossed her path. With the ability to find joy in just about any task, she enjoyed “toodling” around, shopping, and preparing her homemade ravioli and gravy. Throughout her life, Phyllis maintained a steadfast faith in God, spending time each day in prayer and reading her devotional. She was a devout member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Oxford. Her loving pet Shih Tzu, Boomer, was constantly at her side providing her the type of love only a dog can. Phyllis looked forward to visits from family and friends, and was always looking for ways to spoil them. Whether it was a home cooked meal or something she found on one of her shopping trips, she’d rarely send people home empty handed. She was a devoted and loving wife to her husband, Fred, with whom she shared 41 years of marriage. Phyllis’ vibrant and huge personality was impossible to encompass in her petite stature, and perhaps that’s why she was always overflowing with love for her family and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ricky Bates.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Fred Brister III of Oxford, MS; daughter, Dee Anne Bates of Byhalia, MS; step-son, Fred Brister IV and his wife, Jen of Little Rock, AR; step-daughter, Lea May and her husband, Christopher of Little Rock, AR; sister, Christina Zachary and her husband, James of Cordova, TN; brother, Felix “Butch” Calvi, Jr. and his wife, Suzanne of Lakeland, TN; as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Phyllis’ memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at st.jude.org.
