Houghton was born in the village of Nettleham, Lincolnshire, England, on 29 October 1914.
During World War II, while her husband John served in the Army, she worked for a wholesale tobacconist, making deliveries by lorry throughout the county. When John returned from his service in West Africa, they settled on Doddington Road in Lincoln, where John worked as a solicitor and Phyllis provided bookkeeping services. They remained in Lincoln until John’s passing in 2000. She continued driving until the age of 90.
At 108 years old, she was living in a care home in Saxilby and credited her long life to hard work, regular exercise, and a daily sip of sherry.
Following the passing of Bertha Thompson (7 June 1914 – 3 July 2023) of Stickney, she became the oldest (known) living person in Lincolnshire.
* “Lincolnshire’s ‘remarkable’ oldest resident explains secrets to her long life as she turns 108” – Lincolnshire Live, 11 November 2022