Janell Phelan

JANELL PHELAN, age 80, of Little Rock, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 27, 2015. She was born on Aug. 8, 1935 to the late Thomas and Marie Dixon. She was an active member of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church where she volunteered in the church office. She was past president of La Moderne service organization. Janell retired from the Little Rock School district after working 30 years as a Speech Pathologist. She loved life and especially loved celebrations when her entire family got together to share a meal. Janell was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Keith Dixon, and sister, Billie Westbrook. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband of almost 57 years, Don Phelan, her children, Donna Marie Phelan of Sherwood, Susan Goolsby (Kevin) of Little Rock, and Greg Phelan (Christine) of Little Rock, and four grandchildren, Halli Marie Goolsby of Anthem, Ariz., Jaime Leigh Goolsby of Stillwater, Okla., Tyler Phelan of Maumelle, Ark. and Colin Phelan of Boulder, Colo. Don and Janell welcomed a foreign exchange student from Turkey into their home in 1976 and she became family. Janell is also survived by her Turkish daughter, Ozlem Ergun (Sukru) of Istanbul, Turkey and their two sons, Kerem (Merve) and Demir Ergun. Janell also leaves behind a host of other family and friends who will miss her terribly. The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all the incredible nurses and staff at UAMS and Arkansas Hospice for their kindness and care. The family will receive friends on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd.). A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 at Saint Mark's Episcopal, 1000 N. Mississippi. A reception will follow the service, followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Janell always said that people should wear bright colors to her funeral because she wanted it to be a celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County or St. Francis House. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Please visit www.littlerockfuneralhome.com to sign Janell's online guest book.