Our loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Phyllis Gibson Hall, passed away at the age of 68 in the evening of June 4, 2020. She passed into the next life peacefully in the home she built with her husband, DuRell, in Cedar City, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. To her last breaths, she was an example of compassion, hospitality, quiet strength, and incredible faith to everyone whose life she touched.
Phyllis was born in Vernal, UT to Lyle Elmer Gibson and Hermoine Hoyt Gibson on April 7, 1952. She grew up all around the Las Vegas and Southern Utah areas, living in Mexican Hat, Las Vegas, Hurricane, and Cedar City. She graduated from Cedar High School in 1970 and Southern Utah State College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She later returned to Southern Utah University and earned her elementary teaching certificate. She used her education at East Elementary, where she worked as a teacher’s aide for 29 years. While going to school at SUSC, she met the love of her life, DuRell A. Hall. They were married in the St. George temple on December 15, 1973, and they spent more than 46 happy years together. The most important part of Phyllis’ life was the family that she and DuRell built together. Through her actions and her open heart, she was an example of compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love. Anyone who ever visited her home remembers the hospitality and the love that she showed to anyone who walked through her door, whether they were invited to a family dinner or were there to become a part of the family. Her home was always full of happy chaos, and both kids and grandkids fondly remember being told to go “upstairs or outside” when things got a little too wild. Phyllis was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the gospel. She served faithfully in numerous callings throughout her lifetime and loved doing family history work and being in the temple. We know that she has been welcomed into her Savior’s arms.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, DuRell; her eight children: Shad (Laura) Hall, Lori (Duane) Becker, David (Laura) Hall, Andrew (Jennilyn) Hall, JaNell (Clark) Haynes, Christopher (Heather) Hall, Amy Hall, and Wendy (Michael) Gale; five brothers and sisters: Donna (Boyd) Moss, Mack Gibson, Ilene (Gary) Hughes, Ron Gibson, and Earl (Joy) Gibson; and 22 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Lyle Elmer Gibson and Hermoine Hoyt Gibson.
A viewing will be held on Monday June 8, 2020 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N. 300 W., Cedar City). Funeral services will be held Tuesday June 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., also at Southern Utah Mortuary. Interment will follow at the Hurricane City Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Online condolences can be sent at www.sumortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, Phyllis and DuRell ask those who wish to show their support to donate to the Cancer Research Institute (www.cancerresearch.org) or the Utah Food Bank (www.utahfoodbank.org).
Phyllis’ family would like to thank Ethan and the staff at Sun Tree Home Health and Hospice for the care and compassion provided during Phyllis’ final months, as well as numerous friends and extended family members who have shown their love and support. “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” -Unknown
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 4:00 PM