Betty Jean Phelps

Betty Jean Phelps, 97, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday morning, Sept. 29, 2019. The daughter of Montgomery P. and Beulah (Hacker) Stitt, Betty was born Sept. 17, 1922 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), where she met her future husband, Ralph E. Phelps. Ralph and Betty married Jan. 24, 1942, and had three children: Ralph Edward Phelps Jr., Madeline (Phelps) Baskin (Joseph) of Chambersburg, Pa., and Kathleen (Phelps) Potts (Charles) of Scottsdale, Ariz. While her husband was stationed in Calif. with the U.S. Air Force, Betty finished her college education at San Francisco State College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Ralph's military career led to many adventures and moves, including across Calif., and to Japan and Germany before finally settling in Northwest Arkansas. Over her 25-plus-year teaching career, Betty taught at several local schools as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist, including Root and Washington Elementary schools in Fayetteville, Winslow Elementary, and West Fork Elementary. Additionally, Ralph and Betty raised thoroughbred horses at their Rakabema Farm in West Fork. Betty was a past president and active member of P.E.O sisterhood, an active member of the University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle, and a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Though raised Presbyterian, she was 50-plus-year member of Central Methodist Church, a member of their Walking through the Bible Sunday School class, and a co-founder of the church's Community Meals outreach program. She was an original supporter of Life Styles Inc., where her granddaughter Tammie Phelps is actively involved. In addition to her two daughters and granddaughter Tammie, five additional grandchildren, whom she cherished, survive: Nicole (Baskin) Ludwig (Dan), Meredith Potts (Tashi Tamang), Mark Potts (Rebecca), Emily (Baskin) Gauthier (Marc), and Michael Baskin (Amber). She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren. Besides her parents, Betty's husband, son, and sister, Marjorie (Stitt) Knorr, preceded her in death. The family will host a viewing and visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Beard's Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will occur at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Beard's Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at 11 a.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials be made in Betty's name to Life Styles, Inc., P.O. Box 1114, Fayetteville, 72702 or Central United Methodist Community Meals outreach program, 6 West Dickson St., Fayetteville, 72701. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.