Paula Ritter Phelps

Mrs. Phelps was born on December 12, 1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the only child of Paul Alexander Ritter and Isa Noma Ritter (Harwell). Paula grew up in Houston, Texas and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1956. She graduated from the University of Houston in 1960, where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. She married James Spencer Phelps on August 27, 1960, and together they celebrated 49 years of marriage until his passing in 2010. For 17 years she stayed home with her young family. In 1977 she began her teaching career at St. Patrick’s Catholic school in Galveston. In 1978 she began teaching in LaMarque ISD at Sims elementary where she taught first grade for 20 years. In 2000 Paula and Jimmy moved to College Station to be near their daughters.

During her life Mrs. Phelps was active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, she was an avid reader and a faithful volunteer with the Brazos Church Pantry. Mrs. Phelps was an Episcopalian and attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Phelps; her son, Russell Paul; infant daughter, Mildred Eloise; and her parents.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, James and Zelma Phelps of Edmond Oklahoma; daughter and son-in-law, Kyle and Robin Rackley of College Station; daughter, Mary Ellen Glanz of College Station; along with her nine precious grandchildren, Jamie Nicole and Brooke Phelps, Madelyn, Brinson and Lauren Rackley; Abigail, Matthew, Joshua and Russell Paul Glanz. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Margaret Phelps of Victoria, Texas.

The family extends special thanks to Teresa Galvez, her faithful caregiver.

A memorial service celebrating Mrs. Phelps' life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 217 W. 26th Street in Bryan. All other services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church. the Episcopal Relief Fund or the Brazos Church Pantry.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Phelps family.