Obituary of Valerie Phelps

Valerie Phelps, age 91, of Avery passed away Monday, August 17, 2015 at Sunny Acres Nursing Center, in Dekalb. Mrs. Phelps was born July 19, 1924, in Memphis, Texas to Johnny Griff and Betty Ann Davis Brackeen. She was retired from the Avery Independent School District and was a member of the Avery Assembly of God Church. Mrs. Phelps was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Phelps on August 15, 2001; 2 brothers, Jess and Charles Brackeen; and 2 sisters, Betty Jo Williams and Pansy Stutte. Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 20, 2015, in Lindeman Chapel of Clarksville Funeral Home with Rev. James Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Avery Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Clarksville Funeral Home. Serving as Pallbearers are, Ed Stephenson, Ken Sims, Daniel Brackeen, Johnny Lee Stanley, Virgil Stutte and Melvin Runyan. Survivors include 5 sons, David Phelps and wife, Edna of New Boston, Johnny Phelps and wife, Mary of Ft. Worth, Jerry Phelps and wife, Sandy of Clarksville, Curtis Phelps and wife, Maleia of Avery and Danny Joe Phelps and wife, Lou of Texarkana; 1 brother, Alvin Ray Brackeen of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Thinking about memories at her house, makes us smile. Her house was always bustling with people, she had 5 boys so we had lots of cousins. She showed her love for us through her cooking. There might be 25 people at her Sunday lunch and she would try to make at least 1 favorite dish for everyone. She would make butter rolls, I don’t know what it was, other than yummy goodness and chocolate gravy; never seen that anywhere else, but everyone loved it. I don’t pretend to know God’s plan. Maybe he is reminding us to love those around us while we can. Because we don’t know how long we have. If that’s the lesson, I got it! As I end my run tonight, I see the most beautiful sunset, I know He is there with my granny. The family requests memorials to be sent to the Avery Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 268, Avery, Texas 75554.