Phyllis Jean (Brooks) Carlow, age 85 of Taylor, May 25, 2023, at Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock, Texas. She was born Jan. 3, 1938, in Madison, Indiana, to Rubye (Lightfoot) and Avery Brooks. She loved music and taught herself to play the guitar at a young age. After her high school graduation from Carrollton (KY) High School, she went on to play music on variety and radio programs, when she met and married Arno Walker. They worked together in radio for many years until his death in 1971.
While at WCTW in New Castle, Indiana, she hosted a popular morning program called “Coffee Break with Phyllis Jean.”
She was remarried to Charles Carlow in 1973, and moved to Taylor, where she became a partner in Carlow Discount Furniture & Carpet from 1973 to 1987. Following her second husband’s death, she worked at Walmart as a door greeter and in the garden center for 12 years. She also attended college classes at ACC Austin.
Once Phyllis had moved to Taylor, she quickly established herself on the music scene, playing in a band, Country Cousins, for several decades. She played both with the band and individually all over the area, including the S.P.J.S.T. Home, Taylor Care Center, ARA Living Center, Disabled American Veterans and more. She and the band performed at McDade Founders’ Day in 1986 with J.J. Pickle, and she was a member of the house band at the Thorndale Country and Gospel Music Jamboree.
Until her death, she still played a variety of stringed instruments and sang at churches and nursing centers.
Her faith was of utmost importance to her, and she was active at Northview Christian Church for many years.
Upon her death, she was a member of San Gabriel Christian Church where she sang for her Lord regularly. The other most important aspect of her life beyond her Lord was her family. She regarded her fondest life memory as the day her children were born. She most wanted her family to remember her for her love for them and for her Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Arno Walker in 1971; her oldest son, Michael Anthony (Mickey) Walker in 1976; her second husband, Charles Carlow in 1996; and two grandchildren.
She is survived by two children, daughter Candy Walker Boyer (husband Dean) of Seminole, and Eddie Walker (wife Karen) of Taylor; five grandchildren, Jaime Boyer Youngblood (husband Homer) of McKinney, Devin Boyer of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Liam Boyer (wife Jen) of North Austin, Brianna Luck of Cedar Creek and Matthew Ezekiel Walker of Taylor; and five greatgrandchildren, Elizabeth Beasley and Christian Youngblood of McKinney, Aiden Boyer of Colorado Springs, Braydon Luck of Cedar Creek and Guillermo Guerrero IV of North Austin; as well as a host of friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, May 30 form 5 to 8 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home. A funeral service was held May 31, at Providence Funeral Home, with Pastor Billy Bob Co officiation and Dean Boyer assisting.
Burial followed at Taylor City Cemetery.
