Phyllis M. Sexton, 85, a leader among women establishing businesses in Lafayette, died Saturday morning, August 5, at the Creasy Springs Health Campus.

Phyllis was the owner and operator of Interiors by Phyl & Associates, Inc., which she launched in 1975 after working almost six years as a local interior decorator. Her studio, which offered complete commercial and residential design, was one of the earliest woman-owned businesses in Greater Lafayette. She and her business associate co-founded the Lafayette chapter of the Association of Women Business Owners, which recently marked its 40^th anniversary.

She also was a charter member of the Sagamore Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 1989 she was named to the Who’s Who of Interior Design, which profiled designers who had made a positive impact in their profession.

Phyllis served as a mentor to Purdue students through the AWBO, as an officer for the Phi Kappa chapter of Pi Omicron and as a member of the YWCA Board of Directors. She was a committee member for the YWCA’s celebrated Newcomers Club in the 1960s.

Her passion was design, with keen attention to detail, whether she was decorating a home, an office or a Christmas tree. Her business motto was, “Details make the difference.”  She loved artwork and painting.

She had a passion for sports, too. Phyllis was an avid supporter of her grandchildren’s high school and college sports. She followed Purdue basketball and football faithfully and was a member of the John Purdue Club President’s Council. In her later years, she was encouraged by her longtime companion, Ed Cipro, to become a golfer.

Phyllis was born in Versailles, Ky., to Bennie and Gladys Sutherland on April 17, 1938. She graduated from Versailles High School before her family moved to Frankfort, Ind.

On July 29, 1959, she married Baxter R. Sexton. They were married for nearly 35 years, until his death in 1994. Baxter Sexton was co-owner of Leavell and Bates Finance Co., later known as Personal Finance, Co. After retiring, Baxter and Phyllis spent a lot of time in Florida.

Surviving are a daughter, Debra K. DeBruyn of Palm Springs, Fla., and a son, Steve Sexton (Jeanne Hillberry) of North Fort Myers, Fla.

Phyllis also is survived by a grandson, Baxter DeBruyn (Catherine Cavoli) of Brecksville, Ohio, and a great-grandson, Barrett DeBruyn; granddaughters Ashley Archer Gustafson (Eric) of Murfreesboro, N.C.; Tess DeBruyn (Sam Overton) of Bar Harbor, Maine; Samantha Sexton Henderson (Javon) of St. Petersburgh, Fla., and Alexandra Sexton of Dallas.

Phyllis was the oldest of five children. Surviving are Kay and Sonny. Jackie and Brenda preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until the time of the service at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd.  Entombment will be at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette. An endowment for female leadership is being established in her name.