OBITUARY: Clara Blanche Phelps
Clara Blanche Phelps, 100, resident of Eldorado, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Fountainview Nursing Home in Eldorado.
Clara was born June 26, 1914, in Murphysboro to the late Walter and Blanche (Rosan) Ballard.
Clara was a licensed practical nurse at Pearce Hospital in Eldorado for 27 years. She was a faithful member of the Eldorado Church of God since 1930. She was a Sunday school teacher and president of the ladies ministry. She married Roy Shelton in 1928 and to this union were born three children, Roy Vernon, Melba Lou and Richard Lee. Her husband was killed in the Sahara Mine in 1944. She later married Fonnie Tucker and Cletus Phelps, both of whom preceded her in death.
She is survived by a daughter, Melba Lou Ramsey of Eldorado; a son, Richard Lee (Sandra) Shelton of Arizona, grandchildren, Jerolyn (Jim) Vickery of Eldorado, Karen (Don) Phillips of Quincy, Krista (Brian) Rayburn of Texas, Richard (Jennifer) Shelton of Texas; great-grandchildren, Audra (Jon) Poore of Eldorado, Kendra Rayburn of Texas, Garrett Rayburn of Texas, Noah Shelton of Texas, Adam (Taryn) LeGette of East Alton, Alicia LeGette of Camp Point, Erin Phillips of Troy, Amber Phillips of St. Louis, Mo., and Adam (Amy) Phillips of Missouri; great-great-grandchildren, Adrienne, Spencer and Walker Poore of Eldorado, Milla and Isabella LeGette of East Alton, Erica and Emalee Neal and Taylor LeGette of Camp Point, Adeline Hendricks and Mason Phillips of Missouri; a very special and devoted niece, Shirley Rister of Eldorado; stepchildren, Glen Phelps of Bethalto, Marie Phelps (Charles) Smith of Eldorado, William (Irene) Phelps of Olney, Emma Lee (Chick) Phelps Smith of Walpole, Lillie Fae Phelps (Tom) Rippy of North Carolina, Ray Phelps of Michigan; stepgrandchildren, Betty Wagner Conaway and husband Bob, Donna Wagner White and husband David, Pam Phelps Oliver and husband Jon, Mark Bowen and wife Stacey, Wendall Durham and wife Telesia, John Phelps, Dennis Smith and wife Dolly, Barry Smith and wife Amy, Tony Phelps and wife Barb, Stewart Phelps and wife Cindy, Billi Jo Phelps Gordon and husband Rodney, Corey Phelps and wife Julia, Ron Smith and wife Kim, Emily Ann Smith, Joshua Smith and wife Karen, Crystal Rippy Ward and husband Bill, Scott Rippy, Leslie Rippy Black and husband Lindsey; 38 great-stepgrandgrandchildren; 19 great-great-stepgrandchildren; stepson-in-law, John Wagner of McLeansboro; stepdaughter-in-law, Doris Phelps of Harrisburg.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by twin infant daughters, Betty Lou and Betty Ann; a son and daughter-in-law, Roy Vernon and Helen Shelton; three brothers, Ben, Otto and George Ballard; a sister and brother-in-law, Inez and Bill Kaid; a grandchild, James Roy Shelton; a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Vickery; a special son-in-law, David Ramsey; stepchildren, Lotus Phelps Wagner, Claude Phelps, Dean (Claude) Phelps Bowen, Charles Wesley Phelps, Carol Dwight Phelps; two stepdaughters-in-law, Barb Phelps and Jill Phelps; and a stepgranddaughter, Lisa Phelps Hayes.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor David Mays officiating. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at the funeral home. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of God Women's Ministry and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com