Phyllis was born September 14, 1923, to Robert E. Taylor and Camylle A. (Prewitt) Taylor in Lincoln, NE. She grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941. She attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln for a year before her education was interrupted by World War II and she began working at Lincoln Telephone and Telegram in the accounting department.
She married Russell J. Kendle on March 19, 1943, while he was on leave from the service. Russell R. “Pete” Kendle was born in 1944 and Karen K. Kendle was born in 1947. They moved to Kearney, Nebraska in 1950, where she worked as a secretary until they relocated to North Platte, Nebraska in 1954. In North Platte, she worked as the secretary at First Presbyterian Church and then became the Deputy Register of Deeds for Lincoln County. They lived there until 1960 when Phyllis and the children moved back to Lincoln. She was reemployed by Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph as the Executive Secretary to the Treasurer, where she worked for 21 years.
Back in Lincoln, Phyllis reconnected with Robert H. “Bob” Cummins. They married on August 7, 1962, merging her family with Robert and his 4 children, Constance L. Crawford, William H. Cummins, Paul D. Cummins, and Robert L. Cummins. They continued living in Lincoln until Phyllis and Robert each retired in 1978.
Phyllis and Bob enjoyed dancing at the Pla Mor ballroom, serving meals for the Senior Diners, and participating in various church activities. They also loved the many activities associated with their membership in the Pawnee Rod and Gun Club in Pawnee City, Nebraska.
They celebrated the marriages of their children and welcomed numerous grandchildren into the family. They hosted gatherings, meals, and celebrations for many years until Robert’s death in 1992. Phyllis continued to enjoy being “Nana” to her growing family with the arrival of great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
Phyllis was a member of the Navy Mothers while her son served his country in Vietnam. She was a former deacon of Heritage Presbyterian Church and joined Southwood Lutheran Church later in life. She was a member of the Lincoln Telephone Company Pioneers’ Association.
She enjoyed playing the piano in her youth, gardening, dancing, camping, and fishing. She continued to live independently until 2023. She moved to Pemberly Place in April of 2023 where she had many loving caregivers and was tended to by Traditions Hospice at the end of her life.
Phyllis is survived by her brother Richard Taylor of Charlotte, NC, daughter Karen Goldenstein (Ronald) of Lincoln, son William Cummins (Bette) of Lincoln, son Paul Cummins (Delora), son Robert Cummins (Kathy), daughter-in-law Barb Kendle of Alliance, NE, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband Russell Kendle, husband Bob Cummins, brothers Robert Taylor, Jr. and Dean Taylor, son Pete Kendle, and Bob’s daughter Connie Crawford.
A celebration of life with family will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd Pioneers Blvd.
A luncheon will immediately follow the memorial service at the church.
Interment will follow the luncheon at the Lincoln Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, 6800 S. 14th St.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Southwood Lutheran Church, Capital Humane Society, American
Cancer Society and Alliance National Cemetery Foundation.