Phyllis Mae Stanberry Rueff, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her Nashville home on October 13, 2024, surrounded by her family and the love of her devoted husband of more than 60 years. She was 81.

Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on March 15, 1943, Phyllis grew up in a close-knit family and attended Fayetteville High School before pursuing her passion for dental hygiene at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. It was there she met the love of her life, Dr. David A. Rueff, beginning a lifetime of love and adventure. The couple married on June 11, 1964, and together, they built a strong and nurturing home at Valley View Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee, a 64-acre sanctuary where their five children, eight grandchildren, and extended family created countless cherished memories.

Throughout her life, Phyllis poured her heart into her family, ensuring that each person felt seen, loved, and valued. Her warm smile and boundless generosity left an indelible mark on all who had the fortune of knowing her. A devoted mother, "Gamma," "Nanny," and friend, she took special joy in creating beautiful moments with her grandchildren, from including building sandcastles at the beach, making their favorite vacation treat monkey bread, and many hours playing card and board games.

In addition to her role as a loving homemaker, Phyllis was an astute businesswoman. She managed the day-to-day operations of David's busy OB/GYN practice until his retirement in 2000. She then turned her talents to helping run her nephew’s custom woodworking business, Clancy Custom Woodworking, before she and David moved to Nashville in 2015.

A woman of deep faith, Phyllis was a devout Catholic whose life was guided by her love for Christ and service to others. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she made sure her family celebrated not only with festive lights and decorations but also by baking a special birthday cake for Jesus each year with her grandchildren, keeping Christ at the heart of their celebrations.

Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and compassion that will be remembered and treasured by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Argie Stanberry; her sister, Shirley Stanberry Lucas; and her brother, Ernest Stanberry.

She is survived by her devoted husband, David Rueff, Nashville, Tennessee; her children, David Rueff, Jr. (Dawn) of Jackson, Misssissippi; Ellen Rueff Strunk (Randall) of Birmingham, Alabama, Andrew Rueff (Betsy) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sarah Rueff Ryan of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mary Rueff Hobeika (Omar) of Nashville, Tennessee. She also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren, Alex Rueff (Jordan), Blake Rueff (Elizsabeth), Cole Rueff, Josef and Nadia Hobeika, Gabby Ryan, and Anna and Benjamin Rueff, as well as her great-grandchild, Hazel Rueff.

*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.

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