Phyllis Mae (Morehead) Wherry

Phyllis Mae (Morehead) Wherry, 98 years, passed away on January 1, 2026, one day shy of her 99th birthday, at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital. Phyllis was born January 2, 1927 in Pawnee City, Nebraska to Walter James and Nellie (Pestinger) Morehead.

Phyllis graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1944 and attended the University of Nebraska. She also attended classes at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C.

She married David Wherry in Washington, D.C.  and to this union one son was born, Kenneth David.  Phyllis and David later divorced.

Phyllis worked for the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in Washington, D.C. and later worked for the United States Air Force at the Pentagon. While living in England for two years, Phyllis was President of the Air Force Officers Wives Club. Upon returning to the United States, she was the President of the Mother’s Club at St. Stephens School for Boys in Alexandria, VA, where her son Kenneth, attended school and graduated.

While enrolled at the American University, Phyllis worked for the Criminal Justice Department at the University Law School. She worked for many years at the Brooking Institution, a think tank in Washington, D.C. where she retired in 1993.

Music was a very important part of her life.  Phyllis sang for three years in the chancel choirs of the Metropolitan Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.

After she moved back to Pawnee City, Phyllis became a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as Moderator of the Deacons for three years, was an Elder for three years,  member of Presbyterian Women, as well as singing in the church choir.  Phyllis was an active member of the Southeast Nebraska Community Band.  She was a member of Coterie Club serving as its President, Thursday afternoon bridge club, Wednesday night bridge club and was a 60 plus member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood serving as President of Chapter J in Alexandria, VA, as well as President of Chapter AV in Pawnee City.  She loved playing tennis and golf.  Phyllis was an avid believer in Animal Rights and was opposed to any type of animal abuse. Her family was most important to her and her loyalty was unshakable.  

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Nellie Morehead, infant sister, Mary Judith Morehead and brother James Richard "Curly" Morehead.

She will be fondly remembered by her son, Kenneth David, daughter-in-law, Kerrie, granddaughter, Kristine, grandson, Kevin, 3-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the First United Presbyterian Church/ First Christian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.   A link to the livestream of the service is available here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057240888156 

Interment was in the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the Pawnee County Medical Foundation, Pawnee City.  Online condolences can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.  Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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