Grace Lynn Phelps

Grace Elizer Phelps passed away in Nashville, TN at St.Thomas Hospital on October 1, 2016 from a lethal, spontaneous brain hemorrhage at the age of 57. Grace was born on July 9, 1959 in Jackson, TN to Georgia and Thomas Elizer. She grew up in Bells, TN – baptized and raised in the Bells United Methodist Church and graduated from Bells High School where she was active in 4-H as well as multiple drama and music groups. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Lambuth University where she met many dear friends and her husband, Keith. She was active in her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, and served as a vocalist for many music groups on campus. Keith and Grace married at Bells United Methodist on March 14, 1981 and had two children, Dustin and Catherine. The couple moved to Covington where Grace worked in fashion merchandising, human resource management, and executive recruitment before accepting the call to ministry and being ordained as a Deacon of the United Methodist Church in 2011. Since her ordination, she has worked as the Minister of Program and Outreach at Covington First United Methodist Church. The Bread of Life and Good Samaritan Fund ministries – dreamed of, organized, and managed by Grace – has become a remarkable outreach of God’s love and providing grace by meeting the needs of the thousands of families in the Covington and surrounding areas. Grace was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved fiercely and without reservation. She was a loving friend, advisor, and a shepherd to many. Visitation for Grace will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016 at Covington First United Methodist Church from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 12 Noon until 1:30 pm. A service of Celebration and Remembrance will be held on Tuesday, October 4th at Covington First United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Reverend Wade Cox, Reverend Joy Weathersbee and Reverend Tim Carpenter.  Interment will follow in R.H. Munford Cemetery.  Grace’s family request any donations in honor of Grace should be directed to the Good Samaritan Fund at Covington First United Methodist Church, 145 West Church Avenue, Covington, TN  38019 to continue Grace’s legacy. Grace is survived by her husband of 35 years, Keith Phelps; her daughter, Catherine Grace Phelps of Covington; her son and daughter in law, Dustin and Allison Phelps of Lakeland; her mother, Georgia Elizer of Bells; her brother, Warren Elizer of Randolph, NJ; and her three precious granddaughters, Georgianne Grace, Molly Kate, Charlotte “Charley” Curry Phelps.  She was preceded in death by her father, James Thomas Elizer. Arrangements entrusted to Curry Funeral Home, Dyersburg, TN and Covington Funeral Home, Covington, TN .  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.curryfuneral.com and www.covingtonfuneralhome.com