Priscilla Nell Pharries, 80, of Wichita Falls, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024.

Priscilla was born on December 3, 1943, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Norris Edward and Gracie Marie (Barner) Short.  The Shorts owned a grocery store in town where she and her brother worked while they were not in school.  During her sophomore year at Wichita Falls High School her parents moved Short's Grocery to Byers, Texas, where she graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1962.  Later that year she married the love of her life, Jimmy Pharries, a farm boy from nearby Charlie, Texas, and together they moved to Wichita Falls where they would spend their lives together.  Although she only lived there a few years, she always considered Byers and Clay County her home.  In Wichita Falls she would work for McClurkan's Department Store, and Gifford Hill Sand & Gravel, then in 1976, she found her calling in real estate.  Just three years later, in 1979, she was selected by her peers to be the Realtor Associate of the Year for the Wichita Falls Association of Realtors. After building a successful business with Hirschi Realtors, she and partners formed Re/Max Champion Realtors in 1990. Priscilla was the perfect example of hospitality and grace.  In 1996, she retired from real estate to spend time with her grandchildren and care for her elderly parents.  During her 20-year career, she helped hundreds of people find their dream homes, serving the community and the Wichita Falls Association of Realtors in many capacities including the MLS Committee and the Board of Directors.  After retirement she volunteered for the Adult Literacy Council and Patsy's House and served on the board of directors of CASA of Red River.

Throughout all the hard work and achievement, her primary focus was always on her family, her parents and her children and grandchildren.  She was never too busy to check on her mother or run a grandchild to school or the dentist office.  Trips to the public library were a weekly constant for her kids and grandkids and there was always a stack of books by her chair and her bed.  She loved history, science, psychology, poetry, art and a good mystery, and always encouraged the kids to read.  She enjoyed working in her yard and truly had a green thumb, with the thickest lawn and prettiest flowers on the block.  Priscilla also loved photography, and with her 35mm Olympus SLR she took the most amazing photos of her grandchildren and her flowers.

If she wasn't in her garden or reading, she could often be found in the kitchen, tinkering with recipes, and finding ways to make them better (mostly). Priscilla was the hostess with the mostess.  Some of the family's favorite memories were over hot lunches she cooked for Jim and whichever kid or grandkid happened to come by. She spoiled her family with love and kindness and always kept a camera handy to capture every memory.

She is survived by her brother, Eddie Short and wife Ann of Byers, her brothers-in-law, Jim Bob Wallace and Colen Long, her daughter Elisabeth Pharries, her son Wayne Pharries and wife Lisa, and grandchildren Mark Pharries and wife Rachel, and Marie Henricks and husband Skyler of Seymour, TX.  She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Emelia Henricks, and Reed and Reagan Pharries.

Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her two younger sisters, Kathy Long and Peggy Wallace whom she loved dearly.  She was also preceded by her dear friend, Patricia Fowler.  Patricia is Lisa's mother and Priscilla's constant friend and caregiver.  Lisa and Patricia were by her side almost every day for eight difficult years, and words cannot express the gratitude for these two beautiful ladies.

The family would like to thank the caregivers of Texhoma Christian Care Center and Hospice Plus for their love and kindness for the final difficult years of Priscilla's life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to CASA of Red River at https://casawf.org/donate/

Services will be officiated by Roger Deerinwater at the Byers Assembly Church in Byers, TX at 10:00am on January 29, 2024. Interment will follow at Byers Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.