Phyllis Ackerman, 83, of Colonial Heights, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Southside Medical Center in Petersburg. She was born January 15, 1943, in Kingsport, Tennessee, to the late Jim and Francis Greenwell.

Phyllis owned and operated Phyllis Ackerman School of Dance for 47 years. She also organized and taught the Colonial Heights High Steppers and won numerous local, state, and national baton twirling competitions. In 2017, she began teaching the Colonial Heights Dancing Grannies at the Senior Center. She was a longtime member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Matoaca.

She is survived by her loving partner since 2014, Donald Butler, who stood by her through many challenges. She was the proud mother of four sons, Robert Linwood Ackerman Jr., James Mich Ackerman, Steven Todd Ackerman and his wife, Patty, and Ryan Clayton Ackerman and his wife, Kate. She was also a proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church 9227 River Road S. Chesterfield, Virginia 23803 with the Reverend Glenn Riggs officiating. Interment will be Private at Southlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.