Phyllis Lynn Sutherland, of Henderson, Tennessee, passed peacefully from this life Sunday, September 6, 2026. She recently celebrated her 75th birthday.

After Phyllis learned she had Stage 4 cancer with brain metastases seven weeks earlier, she approached treatments and two hospitalizations with her characteristic faith, positive attitude and poise. God granted her the gift of spending her final days with compassionate, around-the-clock home care, in addition to hospice support. An army of family and friends graciously surrounded Phyllis to celebrate her great legacy of faith, service and friendship in her final days — a testament to the love she poured into others.

Life in Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee:

Phyllis was born August 22, 1951, in La Grange, Kentucky, to Clyde Richard Powell and Thelma Mae Gering Powell. She grew up in Crestwood, Kentucky, and graduated from Oldham County High School in 1969. She attended Sullivan Business College and was chosen Miss Oldham County 1969.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother-in-law and sister, Mark and Mary Evelyn Powell Bramblett; brother, John Vincent Powell; sons and daughters-in-law, Luther Shannon and Lena Bramblett and Jason Andrew and Dawn Bramblett; grandchildren: Andrew, Hallie, Sy and Case Bramblett; nieces: Natalie Meredith, Jessica Powell and Whitney (and husband, Chad) Perry; nephews: Jonathon and Justin Powell; great-nephews: Weslee, Dylan and Wyatt Bodenheimer and Charlie Perry; and great-niece, Naomi Perry.

Phyllis is also survived by several cousins and their spouses: Karen Byrd, Anna Marie McGinity, Mary Ann Hall, Keith Appel, Marty Appel, Richard Beard, Jim and Jeanne Gering, Joe and Becky Gering, Chris Gering and Paula Gering Jessop.

Phyllis and the late Stan Bramblett married in 1970 and moved to Fort Myers, Florida, after the birth of their first son. There they welcomed a second son before ending their marriage. Phyllis built her life in Fort Myers for 33 years, where she and her boys enjoyed many beautiful days at the beach and on the water. She was an active member of McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, where she sang in groups with her dear lifelong friend Marilyn Hoiles and others. Phyllis worked in real estate and the dental field and married Don Swagler in 1982. Don passed away in 2005, while he and Phyllis were beginning the process of relocating to Henderson, Tennessee, to be closer to family. Phyllis married Gayle Sutherland in 2017, and they lived together in Henderson until he died in 2020.

After living in Kentucky and Florida, Phyllis built a beautiful life in Tennessee for 21 years. She attended countless games, school events and performances for grandchildren, just as she had for her two sons. She also returned to the bleachers as often as she could to cheer on the college baseball teams her son Lu coached.

She worked with Brian Henson for 21 years after she began a new career as a financial services branch office administrator in 2005. She loved her Henson Lamb Wealth Management of Raymond James co-workers and considered Brian, Erika, Kyle, April and Kim to be family. She had a passion for serving clients with excellence, and her gifts of organization, encouragement, hospitality and setting people at ease shone brightly through this work.

A devoted follower of Christ and member of First Baptist Church of Henderson, Phyllis taught Bible classes, participated in music programs and volunteered on church committees. She taught a ladies’ Bible class until her health forced her to stop this summer.

She enjoyed quilting and crafts, traveling with friends and family, and antiquing. She cherished her time with special neighbors, her quilting guild, the Henderson Church of Christ Exercise Class and WinGS (Widows in God’s Service) group, and The Tribe with many wonderful women from the Estes Church of Christ. She also served the community as a King Lion through the Chester County Lions Club. She maintained meaningful, rich friendships with countless people throughout her lifetime.

Message from Phyllis:

Phyllis wrote this message to share: “There is nothing more important than a personal relationship with God. Accepting His Son, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior was the life-changing decision of my life. I am not perfect, but I know that when Jesus died on the cross He took my sins with Him, and I am free and look forward to spending eternity in Heaven with Him. I pray that while I have lived on this earth, I have reflected a strong faith in my Lord and been an example to others of a walk with Him.”

Memorial Gifts:

To celebrate her life, faith and love for others, Phyllis’s family and friends are planning a beautiful public space — Phyllis’s Fountain of Blessings. The goal is to reflect her love of art and her hometown and to encourage neighbors to share community, read the Bible and enjoy moments of prayer and quiet contemplation. Anyone who wishes to honor Phyllis in this way can make a tax-deductible gift to the Henderson Arts Commission; contributions may be dropped off at or mailed to Bramblett Group.

Gifts Made Payable to: Henderson Arts Commission

Memo: Phyllis’s Fountain of Blessings

℅ Bramblett Group

117 West Main Street

Henderson, Tennessee 38340

Celebration of Life Visitation and Service:

Saturday, September 12, 2026

First Baptist Church

504 East Main Street

Henderson, Tennessee 38340

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Visitation — Guests are invited to celebrate Phyllis’s spirit of creativity and hospitality by viewing some of her beautiful handmade quilts and enjoying beverages that she enjoyed from Besso’s Coffee.

11:30 a.m. — Service

Phyllis has requested to be cremated following her memorial service and later be interred at The Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood, Kentucky.