Phyllis Ann (Rea) Burleson, 79, of Mtn. Home, Arkansas, passed away on May 16, 2025. Phyllis was born on November 3, 1945, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Chester Frank “Tank” Rea and Billie Ruth (Phillips) Rea. A lifelong Arkansan, she met and married her husband of 59 years, Bill Burleson in Yellville, Arkansas on October 22, 1964.
Phyllis was a 1963 graduate of Yellville-Summit High School. In 1963, she attended the Arkansas State Normal School (Teachers College) which is now the University of Central Arkansas. She studied Business at Springfield State College in Springfield, Missouri. She was the owner of the Tank Rea Insurance Agency in Mountain Home, Arkansas as she continued this family-owned business operating since 1947.
Phyllis was a member of various fraternal organizations. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Mountain Home where she was initiated in February 1974. She spent many years as the Mother Advisor of the Mountain Home Assembly #68 of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She served as the State Mother Advisor in Arkansas from 1994-95 and was the District Deputy of North Arkansas for many years where she provided mentorship and support to the many young women who were members of the statewide Assemblies. She received the highest award given for outstanding service from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls – The Grand Cross of Color. She was a member and supporter of the Mountain Home Business and Professional Women Organization.
Phyllis enjoyed traveling and never turned down a weekend trip to Branson to take in a good show and have a good meal with family and friends. She was a generous and giving person who always enjoyed supporting various local organizations such as Arkansas State University – Mountain Home, CareCenter Ministries, John 3:16, Serenity House and The Humane Society. She devoted time and resources in support of the Yellville-Summit Class of 65 Reunion organization to ensure fellow classmates had an opportunity to reconnect through the years. She was a Christian and Baptist by faith and was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
While she loved to give and enjoyed her time with many friends throughout her life, there are two special individuals we would like to recognize and thank who have always been there for her in her time of need. Her childhood friend and classmate, Ms. Linda Sue Sawyer and our friend and co-worker, Ms. LaDell LaRue. Your love and support provided much joy and happiness through the years.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Bill, and her parents, Tank and Billie Rea. She is survived by her son Scott Burleson (Michael) and daughter Robin Banks (Hardy); five grandsons, Jason Burleson (Laura), Derik McGuire (Danielle), Brice Burleson (Ashley), Tyler Banks (Hannah), Will Banks and one granddaughter, Courtney Burleson. She is also survived by four beautiful great-grandchildren, Gianna Burleson, Oliver Burleson, Caroline McGuire and Alexander Burleson.
Pallbearers are Jason Burleson, Derik McGuire, Brice Burleson, Courtney Burleson, Tyler Banks and Will Banks.
Arrangements are by Conner Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Conner Family Funeral Home, 2833 Hwy. 62 West, Mountain Home, AR 72653. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Layton Cemetery in Yellville, Arkansas with Pastor Edward St. Clair from the Yellville Methodist Church officiating. Burial will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to a local charity of your choosing.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.connerfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Click here to visit the Conner Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center website and sign the guest book.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI