Patsy Jo Taldo Phillips Graham

After a wonderful Thanksgiving with her son and daughter-in-law at Heritage Green Senior Living in Mechanicsville, VA, Patsy Jo Taldo Phillips Graham had a brief decline in health and passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 30, 2025.

Patsy, the daughter of Joseph and Dora Sbanotto Taldo, was born in the beautiful home that her father built in Tontitown, Arkansas, now known as the Tontitown Winery. She was born on the day between St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day, and named Patsy Jo after her two patron saints. When her father passed away at a young age, she and her seven brothers and sisters were raised on the farm by Dora, her uncle Richard Dominic Taldo, and her oldest sister, Katy. Patsy was always proud of her Uncle Dick's self-taught legal expertise for Tontitown, and for hosting Senator J. William Fulbright on the front porch each election. Patsy's special beauty was confirmed by her selection to the homecoming court at Springdale High School in her senior year, a rarity for Tontitown girls who went to school in Tontitown for all but their last three years.

Patsy Jo married Dwight Cole Phillips of Springdale in 1949, who were proud to give their middle names to their first son, Joseph Cole, and first names to their second son, Patrick Dwight, in a few short years. The family lived the corporate world in Tulsa for five years, hosting two of her brothers, Ray and Joe (Jr.), but moved back to Springdale to stay, wanting their sons to have Springdale as their hometown.

Patsy and Dwight operated the popular Westwood Drive-In restaurant, known as the "Koolie" for its unique slushie drink, and Patsy was a convincing salesperson for her sister Beatrice at M&M Tile in Tontitown. Dwight retired when he became ill with lung cancer, but miraculously healed for several years, allowing them to become avid square dancers that brought them a new group of friends and activities. Frilly, fancy square dance dresses with layers of ruffled petticoats brought out Patsy's northern Italian beauty once again.

After 38 years of happy marriage and Dwight's death, Patsy's youngest brother, Joe Taldo (Jr.), introduced her to Clyde Graham, a widower attending St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Clyde, a kind and caring man, gave Patsy another 31 years of marriage and companionship that she very much treasured.

Patsy is survived by her son, Joe, and his wife Rita, who moved Patsy to Richmond, VA, to be near them. Patsy and Joe were able to enjoy coffee and the newspaper together most every workday for the last two years of her life, a chance of a lifetime for both. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary Phillips, who lovingly cared for her in Springdale after Clyde's death; three granddaughters, Megan Phillips (Kat), Stephanie (Chris) Couch, and NiCole Phillips; three great-grandchildren, Alice Collier, Henry Pierson, and Aubrey Couch, all of Springdale; her closest sister and friend, Ida Brady of McDonough, GA; her dear brother-in-law, Bill Bragdon of Presque Isle, ME; and her guardian angel neighbors, Richard and Antionette Pianalto of Springdale.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph T. Taldo, born in Valle del Pasubio, Italy; her mother Dora Rose Sbanotto, the first child born in Tontitown of the immigrants from Italy, and known as "Nonie" by all the 1960's children on Rogers Ave. in Springdale…everyone's Italian grandmother; her Uncle Dick Taldo; and her brothers and sisters, Katy Hovey, Ray Taldo, Freddie Taldo, Beatrice Mussino, Sarah Russell, and Joe Taldo (Jr.). She was also preceded in death by her devoted first husband and father of her two sons, Dwight Phillips; by her caring second husband, Clyde Graham; and heartbreakingly preceded by the untimely deaths of her son Patrick Phillips and her great-granddaughter Allena Pierson.

Patsy was proud that both of her husbands and oldest two brothers, Ray and Freddie, served in World War II; that youngest brother Joe served in the Korean War; that son Joe served in Vietnam; and grateful to God that all of them came home.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tontitown, AR, will have a Rosary Vigil at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and a Funeral Mass at noon on Thursday, January 8. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Tontitown by Sisco Funeral Home.

May God rest her soul and welcome her into heaven with her family, friends, and all His heavenly hosts forever.