Phyllis Patricia Harrington was born April 16, 1948 to the late Annie Stokes and Clyde Harrington in North Wildwood, New Jersey. She attended grammar and senior high in the Millville Public School System. She graduated from Millville Senior High School in June 1966.

Phyllis was the third child of Annie Stokes. Everyone called Phyllis "Patsy" in New Jersey. She added another chapter by moving to Baltimore, and soon after she met the late Harrison Bernard Graham. They raised six kids, three boys and three girls. She became the number one housewife and also worked at Jandorf Electrical.