Phyllis Castle
Phyllis “Popeye” Riffe Castle, 92, widow of Joe Douglas Castle, passed away peacefully at her home in Winchester, Kentucky, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. She was born on October 24, 1932, in Paintsville, Kentucky, to the late Austin and Tillie Elkins Riffe.
Phyllis retired from Bellsouth, where she worked for many years as a manager. She was a proud and passionate fan of the University of Kentucky basketball and enjoyed playing golf in her free time. A devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Winchester, Phyllis lived a life centered around faith, family, and community.
She cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her loved ones. Her warmth, wit, and strength of spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Michael Ray (Rebecca) Castle and Debra (Shannon) Hill; grandchildren, Ashley (JR) Maxam, Lauren (Stephen) Arbuzow, Joseph Michael Castle, and Alexandria Guinn; and great-grandchildren, Arabella, Jax, Tillie, Celeste, River, Charlee, and Farrah. She is also survived by several extended family members and a host of dear friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her daughters, Dianna Jo Castle and Sandra Karen (Vernon) Ortenzi.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 3:00 PM until the time of service at 4:00 PM at the Leon Pace Memorial Chapel. Burial will be on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 1:00PM at the Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville, KY.
Pallbearers will be Michael Castle, Joseph Castle, Ashley Maxam, JR Maxam, Jax Maxam, and Steve Arbuzow.