Mrs. Claire Ruth Phelps

PHELPS, Mrs. Claire Ruth - Age 91, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at her residence. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy. with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Faith Timmons officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Phelps will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Claire Ruth (McKinney) Phelps affectionately called “Miss Aunt Ruth” was born in Byhalia, Mississippi on November 1, 1922 to the late Clarence and Caroline McKinney, Sr. At an early age she accepted Christ at Smother’s Chapel CME Church, Memphis, TN. She graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis. Later she met and married her life partner of 66 years, Jesse C. Phelps. Together they moved to Detroit, MI where for years she was a homemaker. As a couple they were childless, but she loved and mothered all of their 15 nieces and nephews. She was a very active member of Carter Metropolitan CME Church of Detroit, MI for over 50 years. She proudly served on Usher Board #2, the John W. Gilbert Missionary Circle where she was president for year and was on the Woman’s Guild. When the moved to Grand Blanc, MI, they were welcomed into the Bethel United Methodist Church family. She was an avid Bridge Player and was a member of the “La-Jo-Lae Brigette” Bridge Club for 40 years. Additionally, she belonged to the Troy Michigan Depression Glass Club where she collected, displayed and sold antiques and Depression Glass. Claire Ruth loved shopping, traveling, sewing and cooking especially her famous yeast rolls and fruitcakes. The family enjoyed her Easter Egg Trees, the decorative Christmas Bulbs and her extensive Christmas Villages. Mrs. Claire Ruth Phelps leaves to cherish her memory: brother-in-law, Hal Lamar Phelps; 15 nieces and nephews, Ardell McLain, Ruth Ann, Willie Vance and Patricia Phelps, Nadine Daniels (Reginald), Montgomery Hunter, Eula Mae Cross, Micheal Banks (Luberta), Reginald Banks (Jacqueline), Renae Banks-Rowser (Thomas), Carol McKinney, Carolyn Jordan (James) and Debra Shepherd-Johnson; a host of great-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including special neighbor, Roma Cory. Mrs. Phelps was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse C. Phelps; parents, Clarence and Caroline McKinney; her siblings, Mary, Alberta, Jospehine and Clarence. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. E.J. Daros, caregivers, Rashawnda Littles and Sherry Stewart, The American House of Grand Blanc, MI staff and friends, The Medical Team, Pastor Faith Timmons, Bethel United Methodist Church congregation especially the Korneygay, Carl Weathers, Minnie Armstrong families.

Mrs. Claire Ruth Phelps

November 1, 1922 - January 29, 2014