Dr. Roger P. Phelps, Sr.

Bristol, VA - Roger P. Phelps, PhD, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at National Health Care in Bristol, VA. He was born September 6, 1920 in Batavia, NY to the late Harvey W. Phelps and Viola Wolf Phelps. Roger was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by wife Mildred Phelps, son, William Phelps, brother, Norman Phelps, and nephew, Norman Phelps, Jr. Dr. Phelps was a retired professor of music education at the University of Southern Mississippi and New York University. After retirement, he and Mildred moved to Cary, NC where he loved his retirement “job” as NCDOT volunteer train host coordinator, for which he received the Governor’s Award in 2009. He was a faithful member of North Cary Baptist Church (North Carolina), where he served as deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, organist and music director along with his wife Mildred. Dr. Phelps was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, a dedicated Rotarian and enriched the lives of many people. Since 2010, he resided with his son and daughter-in-law in Bristol, VA. Dr. Phelps is survived by his son, Roger, Jr. and wife Karen (Bristol, VA); grandson, Roger Paul, III and wife Alexandra (Ft. Myers, FL); sisters, Ella Woolsey and husband Warren (Houghton, NY), and Ercel Scarborough (Basom, NY); brother, David and wife Alice Mary (Falconer, NY); and several nieces, nephews and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Paul Viers officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 4-6 p.m. just prior to the service. Military Rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, December 22, 2014, at Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus, GA. Honorary pallbearers are Roger Phelps, III, David Phelps, Mike Creech, and Jack Pegram. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hills Christian Church “Equipping for More” campaign, P.O. Box 288, Abingdon, VA 24212; Abingdon Ecumenical Faith in Action, P.O. Box 2419, Abingdon, VA 24212; Cary-Kildaire Rotary Club Bill Phelps Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1406 Cary, NC 27512; or Caris Hospice, 1701 Euclid Ave., Suite G, Bristol, VA 24201-3700, in Dr. Phelps’ name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The Phelps family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.