Betty Jo Fishburn Phelps, 94 of Mandeville, LA passed away on March 2, 2026 at Lakeview Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 3, 1931 to the late R.H. “Tip” Fishburn and Nellie Huffstetler Fishburn. Betty is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 33 years Jack D. Phelps; nieces, Cay Campbell and Melissa Tom.
Born in Maryville, TN. She graduated from Knoxville General Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She married Jack Phelps in 1955. Together they moved several times, living in Pittsburgh, PA (Twice), Little Rock, AR, and Ridgewood NJ, before moving to Mandeville, LA in 1972. She worked in hospitals in Pittsburgh and Little Rock, before stopping out to raise her two children. When she returned to work in the mid-1970s, she primarily worked as a Paramedical Examiner, doing insurance exams, for the rest of her career. She retired from this on her 84th birthday.
She was a long-time member of St Timothy United Methodist Church. She volunteered for many years at Southeast Louisiana Hospital, in the gift shop, and accompanied small groups of patients on an outing for a cookout before they were discharged. She loved to cook, and she happily shared food and recipes with friends, neighbors, and sometimes strangers. She cooked for her husband’s and daughter’s work potlucks and for other events. She participated in meal ministries with St Timothy.
Betty is survived by her loving children, Connie Phelps, and Robert (Dana) Phelps; grandchildren, Dylan (Cameron) Phelps, and Logan (Sophia) Phelps; great-grandson, Taysom Phelps; siblings, Ann (Troy) Best, and Jim (Brenda) Fishburn; nieces, Kellie Sharp, and Monica Mills. Betty also leaves behind to cherish her memory a host of friends. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Grace Funeral Home (450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington). Her Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 pm, Saturday, on March 7, 2026 at the Grace Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Sherwood Memorial Park (3176 Airport Hwy, Alcoa, TN).
In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or to the charity of donor’s choice.
