Phyllis Grooms

Gordon

Phyllis Grooms-Gordon was born in Madison Heights, Virginia, to Loretta Grooms and Roy Grooms. She lived a life guided by faith, family, service, and compassion. She departed this life on June 9, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.

A graduate of Amherst County High School, Phyllis earned her bachelor's degree from Lynchburg College and her master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Phyllis was a respected public servant, community leader, and advocate for children, families, women, and older adults. Her career included leadership roles with the Richmond Department of Social Services, the City of Richmond's Homeless Services, the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Action Alliance for Children, and Virginia Commonwealth University, where she served as Head Start Director.

Her community involvement included service with the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Bethlehem Center Board of Directors.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church South Richmond, Phyllis served through the Greeters Ministry, Women's Ministry, and Bible Study Fellowship.

Above all, Phyllis cherished her family and friends. She will be remembered for her grace, leadership, faith, compassion, and legacy of service.

She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Grooms, and sister, Shirley Tee Grooms. She is survived by her mother, Loretta Grooms; husband, Raymond G. Gordon, Sr.; children, Raymond G. Gordon, Jr. (McKinley) and Mia Wallace; grandchildren, Raymond G. Gordon, III, Marcus Calhoun, and Jordan Calhoun; aunt, Bessie Mae Wharton; sisters-in-law, Lorece Hall (Roscoe) and Bernadine Robinson (Vaden); brothers-in-law, Curtis Gordon and Phillip Gordon; and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.

An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 19 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd., followed by memorial services at 11 a.m. For those unable to attend the service a livestream is available at scottsfuneralhome.com.