Phyllis Barber-Morton Obituary

On Tuesday morning Oct. 15, 2024, Phyllis Jane Barber-Morton passed away peacefully in her sleep in Twentynine Palms. She was 66 years old.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, William Miles Morton Sr., of Twentynine Palms, her children, Ronda S. Lockett-Morton and William "Viliamu" Miles Morton, Jr. (Adriana), and her adored grandchildren Karl "KJ" Magwood-Morton (Mayonna), Matai Adriano Morton, Malia Guadalupe Morton, and Kendrick Viliamu Morton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Martha Antoinette Barber (née Taufa'asau) in 2007 and Gilbert Stanley Barber Sr., in 2008, and her sister, Jacqueline Vaisola Rouse, in 2018.
She is also survived by her five siblings, Fulu'ula Frances Hodges (Twentynine Palms), Gloria Alalafaga Te'o (Twentynine Palms), Gilbert Stanley Barber Jr. (Vista), Sailipea Kennison Douglas Barber (Faga'alu, American Samoa), and Mafa Antoinette Tanielu (Ma'ili, Hawai'i), and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
Phyllis was born on February 26, 1958, in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
She grew up in Oceanside making her mark as an outstanding youth including Oceanside Youth of the Year and various leadership positions in the young women auxiliary.
She graduated from Oceanside high school in 1976 with honors.
After high school she earned a state basketball championship playing post for Mira Costa College, afterwards moving to Hawai'i, where she created various athletic leagues, began to referee full time and commentate local boxing matches.
Eventually Phyllis and her husband, William, settled in Twentynine Palms to raise their family.
She earned her associates degree with honors from College of the Desert.
She held various but her primary job was working for Gatorade and Hershey as a product representative for the local military base.
Phyllis was a long-time coach of her children in sports and a proud advocate for the Samoan community through the Samoan American Association and the Buena Vista Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When her mother passed in 2007, she started an annual scholarship in her name for Twentynine Palms High School.
She was a former booster club member, proud parent and grandparent, one of the original choreographers and seamstresses for the Pacific Islander dances for the Wildcats, and a longtime referee for the desert area leagues.
Long live Filiaumaua I, a caller of shots, a hitter of home runs, a digger of volleyballs, a maker of leis, a singer of karaoke, a hostess of parties and a bouncer of unruly patrons.
She was a loving and giving individual who was not only dedicated to her family but also passed down a legacy of selflessness, community service and cultural pride.
Her services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 73002 El Paseo Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.