Cy Phyfer

Cyrus Lester Phyfer (“Cy”) went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with his loving and devoted wife Rebecca Sears Phyfer (“Becky”) by his side. Born in West Point, Mississippi on April 20, 1956, Cy developed a love for sports at an early age. He played football, baseball, and basketball at West Point High School, andCy and Bec ky were high school sweethearts. After high school, Cy attended Ole Miss, where he earned his Bachelors of Business Administration and became an Ole Miss Rebel, through and through. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where he made lifelong friends. Cy and Becky married on July 21, 1979 in West Point. They had their first child, Anne Harlan, two years later and moved to Plano, Texas. There they had their second child, Cy Sears, a few years following. Through 46 years of marriage, Cy and Becky made a life together, loving and honoring each other. Cy loved and served the Lord and was a devoted family man, dutifully supporting his wife, children, grandchildren, and even extended family, in word and deed. Cy never met a stranger – he would strike up conversations with random people on the beach in Destin, Florida or in the stands at a ballgame. He was unfailingly kind, always seeing the best in other people. He had an encyclopedic memory for the people he met and conversations he had, because he cared enough to listen. He saw the value in others, and people loved him.

Those skills translated to professional success at New York Life Insurance Company, where he became a successful and respected agent for 40 years. He was dedicated to his clients’ wellbeing and loyal to New York Life, where he was frequently recognized as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and the President and Executive Councils. Cy’s faith – mature and steady – guided him. He was a longtime member of Prestonwood Baptist Church. He loved to quote John West’s sermons and to encourage everyone to “keep on keepin on!” His favorite Bible verse was Phillipians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Even when his playing days ended, Cy’s love of sports continued – especially Ole Miss football and Boston Red Sox baseball. He could tell you countless stories about players, games and statistics from seasons past. Cy also loved history. He enjoyed reading about the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and WWII. And he never met a museum where he didn’t love to stop and read every single placard. For the last several years, Cy suffered from Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare form of Parkinson’s. He fought bravely with Becky by his side, modeling love “in sickness and in health.” The family is thankful for all of the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and sitters who took care of him over the last few years.

Cy is survived by his devoted wife, Rebecca Sears Phyfer, his daughter Anne Harlan Phyfer Latino (Russ), his son Cy Sears Phyfer; his grandchildren Russell Latino IV and Margaret Grace Latino; his step-grandchildren Aidan Hall and Cameron Hall; his sisters Rebecca Portera (Bill) and Carolyn Jane Hay (Will); his sisters-in-law Cindy Robinson (Ross), Angie Pirok (Paul), Marcia Phyfer and Martha Scott (David); his brother-in-law Matthew Sears; his father-in-law Dr. Harlan Harrison Sears; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Cy was preceded in death by his parents Harry Hampton Phyfer Jr. and Rebecca Jo Sneed Phyfer, and his brother Harry Hampton Phyfer III.

A visitation will be held Saturday, August 23 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Robinson Funeral Home. A service will follow at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mission MSA or Prestonwood Baptist Church.