James Phelps

James Odel Phelps passed away Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Greenville Nursing and Rehab, at 80 years, 10 months, 21 days. He was born in Coulterville, Illinois, Nov. 10, 1939, to parents Wilford Carl and Wilma Lucille (Lockhart) Phelps-Lewis.

James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He married Louise (Boyer) Dameron on Feb. 14, 1965, and to this union, they were blessed with four beautiful daughters. James married Virginia Ann Hemmerlein on March 21, 1984.

James was employed at Handy Things in Poplar Bluff. James was also a driver for Services for Extended Employment (SEE) in Piedmont, among other odd jobs he could find. He loved to hunt and fish. He was an active member of Cool Springs Baptist Church, Taskee.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Larry R. Phelps; a sister, Dixie Lou Spreitler; a sister-in-law, Karla Jean Phelps; and nephews, Danny Spreitler, Carl Davis, David Spreitler, Clinton Davis and Scott Foster.

James is survived by his loving wife of 36 years; children Ellen Carter and husband Shayne of Ellsinore, Kimberly Farris of Grandin, Rachel Coleman and husband Kenny of Grandin, Rebekah McKinney and husband Fred of West Plains; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; sister Linda Foster and husband Carl of Gulfport, Mississippi; mother-in-law Lois Virginia Hemmerlein; brother-in-law’s Bill Spreitler of Gulfport, Mississippi, Earnest Lee Hemmerlein and wife Cathy of Williamsville; nephews Mike Foster, Mark Foster, David Phelps and Lee Hemmerlein; nieces Sherry Killegrew, Sheila Ramsey, Amanda Gerlach and Lois Clinton; and many cousins, other nieces, nephews and friends. James will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct 10, 2020, at Cool Springs Baptist Church, Taskee, Missouri. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., also at Cool Springs Baptist Church. Burial will be in Cool Springs Cemetery in Taskee.

Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.