Phyllis Jean (Terhune) Hood
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Phyllis Jean (Terhune) Hood passed away on Tuesday, March 10, at the Healthcare Resort of Leawood, due to complications resulting from a stroke. She was 89, just two months shy of her 90th birthday.
Phyllis was born in New York to Carl “Terry” Terhune and Rosalie Jean (Ruffino) Terhune. She was the firstborn of four girls born in rapid succession— “stair-steps,” as she called herself and her sisters. During the first two years of Phyllis’s life, her parents were performers in a circus troupe—Rosalie a tightrope walker and Terry a trumpet player—and thus her baby-bed was a dresser drawer in the many places they stayed during their travels. The family later moved to the Fairmount area in Independence, Missouri, where she attended school, graduating from Northeast High School. Phyllis married Don Hood, and they were blessed with three children: Mike, Kathy, and Mark.
In her younger years, Phyllis had many hobbies, including gardening, taking care of her cats, and sewing clothes for her children (Kathy wore many cute dresses during her elementary years). Throughout her life, Phyllis shared her love for music by serving in the church choir at every congregation she attended. She was a longtime, devoted member of the Independence, Missouri Christian Union Church, where she also served as a volunteer worship leader. In her later years, she enjoyed the fellowship of Blue Valley Baptist Church, where she remained active by organizing activities for The JOY Ladies women’s group. Phyllis loved reading and traveling; she cherished her many trips and adventures with friends, especially Lois and Maxine. Two of her favorite places she visited were Israel and Canada.
Phyllis’s family meant the world to her. She always made sure she called her family members and sang “Happy Birthday” to them on their special day. She sent many, many cards celebrating birthdays and holidays, usually including a $5 bill in each one.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Terry Terhune and Rosalie Jean (Ruffino) Terhune; her husband, Donald F. Hood; her sister, Patricia (Terhune) Nerman Hankins; and her beloved, lifelong friend, Lois Heath. She leaves behind her sisters, Judy (Terhune) Greer and Cherie (Terhune) Bennett; her children, Michael Foster Hood, Kathy Jean (Hood) Miller (Tom), and Mark Alan Hood (Julie); nine grandchildren, Cherish, Amy, Alexandria, Mark Alan, Lindsey (Cody), Max, Brent (Caroline), Abbie (Jon), and Matt (Alli); eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Those of us left behind celebrate a life well-lived. She dearly loved her family and was deeply devoted to her Christian faith, which lives on through her children and their children. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Blue Valley Baptist Church, Antioch Campus, 8925 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS. Visitation will take place from 2-3pm, followed by a memorial service at 3pm.
Flowers may be sent to the church, or if you wish, a memorial donation may be made to your favorite charity in Phyllis’s honor.
Mom, we miss you already and hope you are enjoying seeing Dad again, as well as your dear friends, Lois and Maxine.
I loved spending time with Miss Phyllis at the many, many get togethers and activities she attended with her daughter Kathy’s family over the years. She truly adored all her family members! She was a joy to be around and always had that sweet smile on her face. She was always truly interested in hearing how my family was doing. Her granddaughter Abbie and my two oldest daughters Jael and Arin are often off doing some sort of adventure together, so Phyllis and I have had a lot of laughs over the years wondering what they would be up to next. I feel so thankful she was able to attend Abbie’s wedding shower in January so many of us could see her sweet smile again – and so she could see how loved she is. (Thank you Tom and Matt for getting here there!) What a blessing! Rest in peace, Miss Phyllis….or maybe get back to work being a “prayer warrior” for those of us who need all the prayers we can get! We’ll miss you. 🥹
Sympathies to Phyllis’s family. Kathy I know you and your family will miss your mom and you were so good to her. I will miss her too. Whenever I was with Phyllis, the highlight of her conversation was her children and grandchildren. Always proud and interested in their activities.
Phyllis and my mom, Lois always had so much fun and Phyllis added a lot to my life too. She helped my mom so much, through the loss of my of my two fathers and she always encouraged and prayed for my Mom through her many health journeys. Phyllis and Lois had so many wonderful trips together. Good friends, great memories, always there through good and bad times. Laughter, sadness and a lifelong journey of a beautiful friendship. I’m thankful Phyllis had a deep faith in Jesus and is now at home with her Savior.