Phyllis Viola Kidd passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026. Phyllis was 92 years and
6 months old. Phyllis was born the middle daughter of three daughters to Roe and Mallie Manthooth on Jan. 27, 1934, in New Ross. Phyllis spent nearly her entire life in Hendricks County, near the North Salem community. She began third grade at North Salem Elementary School and graduated from North Salem High School in 1952 as the class valedictorian.
Community and family were Phyllis’ passions and she served openly and willingly wherever she could. Phyllis held many positions with various clubs and boards. In the early 1970’s Phyllis served as the secretary/treasurer and later the president of the Hendricks County Democratic Women’s Club. Phyllis also served as Eel River Township Trustee for two terms. Phyllis was constantly volunteering for various parents clubs while her children were in school and later did so as a Mammaw on occasion.
Phyllis was the “go to” local seamstress and could make a formal gown from scratch or miraculously alter a size six into a size twelve and no one knew the difference … the tag was still a size six. Phyllis was very grounded in her faith and served as one of the first Deconess’ at the North Salem Christian Church.
Phyllis drove a school bus for Northwest Hendricks School Corporation for 29 years and impacted many students’ lives positively. She would start baking shortly after Halloween and it would continue past the Christmas Holidays. Nearly everyone on the county highway, local farmers, gas delivery man, virtually everyone would get one of Phyllis’ famous pecan pies or her butterscotch brownies. With everything Phyllis did with work and supporting and working on the family farm, she always had time to listen. She would listen to anyone and lend a sympathetic ear when no one else would. All in all, Phyllis led a life we should strive for. She was not perfect but she was an incredible person, daughter, mother, Mammaw and spouse.
Phyllis Kidd was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wayne Kidd; parents, Roe and Mallie Mantooth; and sisters, Marilyn Jean Brooks (Reid) and Linda Lou Lee (Jack). Phyllis was also preceded in death by her children and step-children, Lise Kaye Crouch (Bob) and Eric Dean Goodnight, step-daughter Sharon Elaine Richardson (Jerry), Terry Allen Kidd (Vicky), daughter-in-law Charlotte Kidd (Brian) and grandchild Eric Goodnight (Kyle and Theresa) and great-granddaughter, Faith Erin Lowe (Doug and Barbara).
With four children and five step-children, Phyllis has quite a list of family survivors. They will be listed with their spouse and children following in parenthesis.
Phyllis is survived by her son, Kyle LaVaughn Goodnight (Theresa, Brianna, Jacob), son-in-law Bob Crouch (Lise,’ Doug, Teri), daughter Erin Leigh Clampitt (Bobby, Austin), son Rex Neil Goodnight (Brittany, Alex, Brayden, Claire, Laurel, Emily), stepchildren Robin Jagger (David, Scott, Summer), step-daughter-in-law Vicky Kidd (David, Kristen, Dustin), Michael Kidd (Delores, Rachael, Robert, Tasha, Aaron), Brian Kidd (Charlotte, Brandon, Jarred), and Sharon Richardson’s children, Jason (Frazier) and Jodi (Spears). Phyllis is also survived by dozens upon dozens of great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and beloved cousins.
Phyllis Viola Kidd impacted many many lives in her ninety-two and a half years and she continued to her final days. Our family would like to thank the care staff at Brownsburg Meadows, Anew Hospice and the care team assembled by Suzi Oliva. You all were so helpful in a difficult time.
Phyllis has generously donated her body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her gift will significantly contribute to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana. Phyllis’ donation to the health sciences will allow her to continue to contribute to the community of the living.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Phyllis’ name to: Oinking Acres Farm and Rescue Sanctuary, 8420 N. County Rd 650 E, Brownsburg, IN 46112, (https://oinkingacres.org); or the Indiana Audubon Society, Brad Bumgardner, (bbumgardener@indianaaudubon.org), Mary J Gray Bird Santuary, 3499 S. Bird Sanctuary Road, Connersville, IN 47331.
A celebration of life will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the North Salem Community Building.
