Association Bids Farewell to Industry Icon Phyllis DeWitt
Longtime Dallas BA member and industry icon Phyllis DeWitt Ryland passed away May 6, leaving behind a legacy as rich and vibrant as the life she led. In her own words, Phyllis lived a “two-scoop life”—because when it came to blessings, the Lord never gave her just one scoop of her favorite ice cream, but always two.
She had been a member of the Association since 1983, first as a marketing professional with volume builders Goodman Homes and Newmark Homes, as well as Builders Reliance Mortgage and Blandford-Akins. Phyllis started her own company, DeWitt Marketing, in 2001, and maintained her membership in the Dallas BA throughout her retirement.
Born in Decatur, TX, Phyllis’s humble beginnings laid the foundation for an extraordinary journey. She rose to remarkable success in the business world, first distinguishing herself as a gifted salesperson and sales manager, then as a visionary marketer, and ultimately as a media business owner. Phyllis was well-deserving of the “Legend of Marketing” award that she received through the McSAM Awards. She didn’t just build a career—she built opportunities for others, guiding them to success with her wisdom, creativity and generosity. Some of the advertising campaigns she created remain in use to this day, and her legendary REALTORⓇ events are still remembered with admiration.
Phyllis’s accomplishments extended well beyond the professional realm. She and her husband, Ray Ryland, were married for 43 years—a milestone anyone who knew them both recognizes as no small feat. Together, they lived a life full of adventure, from African safaris to cherished summers on the Oregon coast in the treasured home Ray built for her with love. Though Phyllis had dreams of adding the Mediterranean to their travels, Ray remained unconvinced—a light-hearted example of their enduring, dynamic partnership.
Family was central to Phyllis’s heart. She was devoted to her sisters, Brenda and Hope, and shared an especially deep bond with Brenda and her children, Paige and Monty. Though she had no children of her own, she embraced Ray’s son Mike, his wife Deborah, and their sons Grant, Blake and Conner, as her own family. In her heart, those boys were her grandsons, and Deborah became the daughter she had always wished for. Their connection remained strong and unwavering until the very end.
Phyllis’s circle of love and loyalty extended far beyond her family. She was surrounded by close friends whose lives she enriched in countless ways. She was a source of wisdom and guidance, always ready with thoughtful advice—whether for a personal challenge or a professional dilemma. She volunteered at Faith Presbyterian Hospice for many years.
“Phyllis lived generously, loved deeply and inspired many. Her two-scoop life was one of purpose, passion and presence—and we are all better for having been part of it,” stated former Dallas BA Director of Special Events Jackie Johnson. “Those of us who knew and loved her will forever carry her memory in our hearts.”
Phyllis requested that no service be held. Any donations to Faith Presbyterian Hospice in her name would be a great tribute.