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Compiled and written by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
Granddaughter of Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis
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© Kimberli Faulkner Hull

Myrtle Ivy Hooper was born on 9 September 1886 in Montgomery County, Kansas, the first child of David K. Hooper and Cirrilda Ann Clifford.¹

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Myrtle was not given a middle name at birth. When she was a young girl, her mother let her select her own. A popular folk song at the time, “Kitty Wells,” contains a line “the myrtle and the ivy were in bloom,” so she selected Ivy for her middle name.²

Aside from having her eye put out in an accident with scissors dropped by a sibling and a bout with pneumonia when was 12, Myrtle’s childhood was pleasant.³ She attended Caney, Kansas schools, helped her mother, Cirrilda, with the younger children, and worked with her father on the family farm.⁴

When Myrtle’s mother, Cirrilda, died in 1904, Myrtle was 17 and her siblings ranged in age from six months to 15 years.⁵ Myrtle assisted her father with raising the children. She considered Doyle, the baby, to be like her son and, at the point of her father’s death, became Doyle’s guardian. Myrtle kept a photo of her mother and one of Doyle on her dresser throughout her life.⁶

As a young woman, Myrtle also enjoyed spending time visiting her friends and family.⁷

Myrtle Ivy Hooper and William Walker Phillis marriage

Myrtle married William Walker Phillis on 11 October 1913 in Bartlesville, Washington County, Oklahoma. The marriage ceremony was conducted by Theo N. Gayen, Pastor First Baptist Church of Bartlesville.⁸ William was the younger brother of Fred Ewing Phillis, who had married Mabel’s younger sister, Mabel Hooper, in 1909.⁹

Oddly, William also had lost vision in one eye.¹⁰ W. W., as Myrtle referred to him, Myrtle, and daughter, Eleanor Marie, remained in Caney for a few years and then moved just outside Independence, north of Caney, by 1920.¹¹

In 1923, when Evelyn Lee was born, the family had moved to just south of Caney, residing in the Cotton Valley School District, in Washington County, Oklahoma.¹²

W. W. worked as a Field Services Manager for Cities Services Gas Company, and by 1930, the family moved to Altoona, Kansas.¹³

By 1935, the family had moved back to Independence, where William and Myrtle would live for the remainder of their lives.¹⁴

Eleanor married Hanley Baird in 1939, and, in 1940, W. W., Myrtle, Eleanor, Hanley, and Evelyn were all living in the same household in Independence, near the Professional Building.¹⁵

By the mid-1940s, W. W. and Myrtle lived at 108 Sycamore in Independence in the home of Evelyn and her husband, Ernest Faulkner, whom Evelyn wed in 1943.¹⁶

Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1940s-1950s

W. W. and Myrtle moved to Eleanor and Hanley’s house at 1020 W. Maple in Independence when Eleanor and Hanley moved to California.¹⁷

Myrtle’s husband, W. W., died on 7 February 1962 in Independence and is buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas. ¹⁸

In 1963, Myrtle’s son-in-law, Hanley, died in California, and following his death, Eleanor sold their shoe store and home in Fairfield and moved back to Kansas. ¹⁹

Myrtle moved to Eleanor’s new home at 1412 N. 10th and they lived together until the late-1970s when Myrtle went to a care facility.²⁰

We three: Eleanor, Grandma, and me

A personal remembrance from the author…

This photo, captioned by my mother, Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, was so appropriately titled. I spent a vast amount of my childhood with Grandma and my aunt, Eleanor, sometimes staying at Eleanor’s house for up to a month at a time.

The three of us went on countless trips, near and far, shopped, worked puzzles, went to restaurants, cooked, tended to the family graves, fished, and had a wonderful time together.

Grandma made amazing apple pies, loved pretty handkerchiefs, liked “eating out” and traveling, and was a wonderful storyteller.

Eleanor worked the evening shift at the ammunition plant in Parsons, and Grandma didn’t particularly like television, so she’d tell me stories in the evenings of her early life growing up in Caney, about her mother, Cirrilda, who died so young, and of her little brother that she raised, Doyle, who died at the age of 28.

Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1960s

Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1970s-1981

Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis died on 9 August 1981 in Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas.²² Myrtle is buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Kansas.²³

Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis Documentation with transcripts/abstracts
Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis descendant DNA matches

Endnotes

1. Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, 509687451, Myrtle I. Phillis, 9 Sep 1886. Birth Place: Montgomery, Kansas. Death Date: Aug 1981. Father: David K Hooper. Mother: Cirrilda Clifford.

Also, Kansas State Department of Health and Environment, death certificate, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, local file no. 131 (1981), Myrtle Phillis; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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2. As told to the author by her grandmother, Myrtle Ivy Hooper.

Also, Thomas Sloan, Jr., “Kitty Wells,” lyrics, Library of Congress, American Song Sheets Library of Congress Rare Books and Special Collections.

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3. As told to the author by her grandmother, Myrtle Ivy Hooper.

Also, “Myrtle Hooper Ill with Pneumonia,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 9 Dec 1898, p. 3, col. 2.

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4. “Myrtle Hooper, 6th Grade Class,” news article, The Caney (Kansas) Chronicle, 12 Oct 1900, p. 2, col. 3.
Also, “Sixth Grade, Grace Trible Class, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 28 Dec 1900, p. 2, col. 4.
Also, “Grammar Grade, Rose McIlwain Class, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 29 Mar 1901, p. 2, col. 4.
Also, “Seventh Grade, Blanche Truskett Class, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 4 Oct 1901, p. 2, col. 3.
Also, “High School, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 5 Dec 1902, p. 1, col. 5.
Also, “Ninth Grade, Blanche Truskett Class, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 18 Dec 1903, p. 1, col. 3. Also,
“High School Class, Myrtle Hooper,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 22 Jan 1904, p. 1, col. 3.

Also, as told to the author by her grandmother, Myrtle Ivy Hooper.

Also, 1900 U.S. census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 3, sheet 19-A, dwelling 414, family 416, David Hooper household; NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 491.
– David Hooper, age 36, married 16 years, born Sept 1865 in Illinois, father’s birthplace: Illinois, mother’s birthplace: Louisiana; occupation: farmer
– Cirilda Hooper, age 33, wife, married 16 years, children born: 5, children living: 5, born Mar 1862 in Indiana, both parents born in Pennsylvania
– Myrtle, daughter, age 13, single, born Sept 1886 in Kansas, attended school 8 months
– Mabel, daughter, age 12, single, born Feb 1888 in Kansas, attended school 8 months
– Clyde, son, age 9, single;,born June 1890, Kansas;,attended school 8 months
– Bessie, daughter, age 9, single, born Oct 1892, Kansas, attended school 8 months
– Lee, son, age 4, single, born Sept 1895 in Kansas

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5. “Sirilda A. Clifford Hooper,” obituary, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 12 Feb 1904, p. 1, col. 4.

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6. As told to the author by her grandmother, Myrtle Ivy Hooper, and personal remembrance of the author.

Also, 1905 Kansas state census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, p. 5, line 25, dwelling 33, D. K. Hooper household; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, 1905 Kansas Territory Census, roll ks1905_104.
– D. K. Hooper, age 45
– Myrtle Hooper, age 19
– Mable Hooper, age 18
– Clyde Hooper, age 16
– Bessie Hooper, age 13
– Lee Hooper, age 10
– Doyle Hooper, age 1

Also, 1910 U.S. census, Caney Township, Montgomery County, Kansas population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 156, sheet 17-B, 18-A, dwelling 365, family 369, David Hooper household; NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 448.

Also, “Myrtle Phillis, Guardian of Doyle Hooper, Files Report and Request Discharge of Guardianship,” news article, South Kansas Tribune (Independence, Kansas), 17 Oct 1917, p. 4, col. 2.

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7. “Myrtle Hooper Returns from a Month in Tulsa,” news article, The Caney (Kansas) Chronicle, 31 Jan 1908, p. 2, col. 2.
“Myrtle Hooper and Nina Wesner Visit Friends in Bartlesville,” news article, The Caney (Kansas) Chronicle, 9 Jul 1909, p. 8, col. 2.
“Myrtle Hooper Visits Sister in Dewey,” news article, The Caney News (Caney, Kansas), 4 Feb 1910, p. 8, col. 2.
“Clyde and Myrtle Hooper Visit Independence,” news article, The Caney News (Caney, Kansas), 1 Mar 1912, p. 5, col. 3.
“Myrtle and Doyle Hooper Visit Mrs. Fred Phillis,” news article, The Caney News (Caney, Kansas), 14 Jun 1912, p. 4, col. 3.
“Myrtle Hooper Visits Sister, Mrs. Fred Phillis, in Dewey,” news article, The Caney News (Caney, Kansas), 9 Aug 1912, p. 7, col. 4.

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8. Washington County, Oklahoma, Marriage Records, p. 278, Phillis–Hooper, 11 Oct 1913.

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9. “Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935,” Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, Fred E. Phillis–Mabel Hooper, 19 May 1909.

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10. William Phillis was noted as having one eye on his draft registration card. United States World War I Draft Registration Card, William Walker Phillis, serial no. 2145, Local Draft Board no. 1, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas.

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11. 1915 Kansas state census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, p. 14, dwelling 312, W. W. Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, 1915 Kansas Territory Census, roll: ks1915_155.
– W. W. Phillis, age 30
– Myrtle Phillis, age 28
– Eleanor Phillis, age 2
– Doyle Hooper, age 11

Also, 1920 U.S. census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 195, sheet 5-B, dwelling 126, W. W. Phillis household.
-W. W. Phillis, head, age 35, laborer, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 33, born in Kansas
– Eleanor, daughter, age 7, born in Kansas
– Doyle Hooper, boarder, age 16, born in Kansas

Also, personal knowledge of the author from conversations with her grandmother, Myrtle Hooper Phillis.

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12. Oklahoma State Board of Health, birth certificate 301, Jefferson Township, Washington County, Evelyn Lee Phillis, 25 Sept 1923; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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13. 1930 U.S. census, Cedar Township, Altoona, Wilson County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 103-1, sheet 1-B, dwelling 24, family 20, William W. Phillis household.
– William W. Phillis, head, age 44, Field manager, City Service Gas, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 42, born in Kansas
– Eleanor, daughter, age 16, born in Kansas
– Evelyn, daughter, age 6, born in Oklahoma

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14. Personal knowledge of the author.

Also, 1961 Kansas state census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, line 10, William Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Counties (1953-1979), reel no. 43877_343846.

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15. Marriage Records of Montgomery County, Kansas, no. H 13421, Baird-Phillis, 1939; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, 1940 U.S. census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 63-29, sheet 5-B, household 121, William Phillis household.
Note: Census states residence was 308 N. 9th, however, they lived at 313 N. 9th [photos have house number visible; house has been torn down].
– William Phillis, head, age 55, laborer, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 52, born in Kansas
– Evelyn Lee, daughter, age 16, born in Oklahoma
– Hanley Baird, son-in-law, clerk, retail shoe store, born in Kansas
– Eleanor M., daughter, bookkeeper, gas company, age 26, born in Kansas

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16. Marriage Records of Montgomery County, Kansas, Marriage License no. J 49229 with return, Faulkner-Phillis, 1943; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, 1950 Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas City Census, population schedule 2, line 1, William W. Phillis household; State Board of Agriculture, population schedule and statistical rolls, Kansas State Historical Society, Archives Division, Topeka, Kansas, Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls, Cities (1919-1961), reel no. 31984_254726.
– William W. Phillis, 108 W. Sycamore, 2 in family

Also, 1950 Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas City Census, population schedule 2, line 2, Ernest Faulkner household, 4 in family; State Board of Agriculture, population schedule and statistical rolls, Kansas State Historical Society, Archives Division, Topeka, Kansas, Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls, Cities (1919-1961), reel no. 31984_254726.
– Ernest Faulkner, 108 W. Sycamore, 4 in family

Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1940s-1950s photos, from the photo collections of Evelyn Phillis Faulkner and Eleanor Phillis Baird; privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis, ca. 1950s, Independence, Kansas.
– Evelyn Phillis and Myrtle Hooper Phillis, ca. 1940.
– W. W. Phillis, Eleanor Phillis Baird, Hanley Baird, Myrtle Hooper Phillis. Back dated: 23 June 1952.
– Myrtle Phillis and Mrs. Regan, Independence, Kansas. Photo caption written by Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, “Mother and Mrs. Regan. Just got in our car to go to town. Feb. 1949.”
– Myrtle Phillis, Independence, Kansas ca. 1950s. The dog’s name was Timmy.
– W. W. Phillis and Myrtle Phillis with their grandchildren, Bob and Karen Faulkner. Independence, Kansas, ca. 1953.

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17. 1961 Kansas state census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, line 10, William Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Counties (1953-1979), reel no. 43877_343846.
– William Phillis, age 76
– Myrtle Phillis, age 74

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18. Kansas State Board of Health, Montgomery County, certificate of death, no. 62 002735 (1962),
William Walker Phillis, 7 Feb 1962; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull. Also, “William Phillis Dies Wednesday, Rites Saturday,” obituary, Independence Reporter (Independence, Kansas) Reporter, Feb 1962. Also,
Find A Grave, memorial 18151978, William Walker Phillis (1884–1962), Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas; memorial managed by Kimberli Faulkner Hull (contributor 49572158).

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19. As told to the author by her aunt, Eleanor Phillis Baird.

Also, Polk’s Fairfield-Suisun, Solano County, Calif. City Directory, 1963 (Los Angeles, California : R. L. Polk, 1963), p. 56, Baird Shoe Store.

Also, Polk’s Fairfield-Suisun, Solano County, Calif. City Directory, 1963 (Los Angeles, California : R. L. Polk, 1963), Fairfield, p. 11, Eleanor and Hanley Baird.

Also, “California Death Index, 1940-1997,” Hanley S. Baird, 13 Oct 1903; citing Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento, California. Birth: 1 Jun 1963, mother’s maiden name: Allen.

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20. Personal knowledge of the author.

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21. Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1960s photos, from the photo collections of Evelyn Phillis Faulkner and Eleanor Phillis Baird; privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis and Kimberli Faulkner on her 3rd birthday in 1965, taken at Eleanor’s house, 1412 N. 10th, Independence, Kansas. Photo caption written by Evelyn Faulkner, “Clap Grandma.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis at Christmas 1960, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Ernie and Evelyn Faulkner, Kim Faulkner, Karen Faulkner Ogee and Karianne Ogee, Eleanor Baird, Myrtle Hooper Phillis. Taken at Eleanor’s house on N. 10th St, Independence, Kansas. Photo not dated – about 1969.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis and her granddaughter, Kimberli Faulkner, October 1962, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1010 North 4th Street, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis, Karen and Bob Faulkner, Eleanor Baird at Disneyland. Back of photo in Evelyn Phillis Faulkner’s handwriting reads, “Mother, Karen, Bob and Eleanor at Disney Land 8-20-1963.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis, grandson, Bob Faulkner, and daughter, Eleanor Phillis Baird, 1963, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1010 North 4th Street, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Four generations: Karianne Ogee, Karen Faulkner Ogee, Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, Myrtle Hooper Phillis, ca. 1969. Taken at Eleanor’s house at 1412 N. 10th, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis and Kimberli Faulkner, Feb 1963, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1010 North 4th Street. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis and Kimberli Faulkner, Feb 1963, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1010 North 4th Street. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1962, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1010 North 4th Street, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Kimberli Faulkner and Myrtle Phillis, 1965, taken at Eleanor’s house, 1412 N. 10th, Independence, Kansas. Photo caption written by Evelyn Faulkner, “Pull Grandma.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 1970s-1981 photos, from the photo collections of Evelyn Phillis Faulkner and Eleanor Phillis Baird; privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Four generations: Myrtle Hooper Phillis, Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, Karen Faulkner Ogee, Karianne Ogee, ca. 1971. Taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas.
– Myrtle Phillis and Kimberli Faulkner, San Francisco, 1973. Photo caption written by Evelyn Faulkner, “1973. Grandma and Kim. Lookout Point east of S.F.”
– Kimberli Faulkner and Myrtle Phillis in California, 1973. Back of photo written by Evelyn Faulkner, “1973. At the Nuttree. Bess, Grandma and Kim.” (Bess was a helper for someone we were visiting in California).
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis opening gifts, Dec 1975, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis, Christmas 1976, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Note: Karen Faulkner Ogee made the hanging macrame table in the left of the photo. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, Kimberli Faulkner, Karianne Ogee, Karen Faulkner Ogee, Myrtle Hooper Phillis, Christmas 1976 taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis opening gifts, 1976, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Back of photo reads “Christmas 1976.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Hooper Phillis, 9 Sept 1977, taken in Coffeyville, Kansas. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Eleanor Phillis Baird, Myrtle Hooper Phillis, Evelyn Phillis Faulkner, Evelyn’s granddaughter, Karianne Ogee. Taken in Coffeyville, Kansas, 9 Sept 1977. Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis’ 92nd birthday, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Photo caption written by Evelyn Faulkner, “Sept 9, 1978.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– Myrtle Phillis’ 94th birthday, taken at the home of Evelyn and Ernie Faulkner at 1028 N. 17th Place, Independence, Kansas. Photo dated by Evelyn Faulkner, “9/9/80.” Privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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22. Kansas State Department of Health and Environment, death certificate, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, local file no. 131 (1981), Myrtle Phillis, 9 Aug 1981; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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23. Find A Grave, memorial 76740924, Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis (1886–1981), Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas; memorial managed by Kimberli Faulkner Hull (contributor 49572158).

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Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, “Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis,” Cool Adventures 
(https://cooladventures.com/genealogy/myrtle-ivy-hooper-phillis-1886-1981/ : posted 2021).

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