Mavis Bane Phelps

Mrs. Mavis Flossie Bane Phelps, 95, passed away April 17, 2023.

Mavis was born November 15, 1927, in Durham, NC to the late Fred and Flossie Ragan Bane. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Phelps; brothers, Robert Bane, and Curtis Bane; sisters, Gladys Hocutt, and Alice Earp; son-in-law, Harold Lecky.

Mavis graduated from Bethesda High School and attended Louisburg College. She worked for Southern Bell as a Switch Board Operator, working the night shift in the mid-1940s. When the last three of her children entered middle school, she went to work at that middle school as part of the Durham Public School system, in 1980 in which she retired in 1993. She is mostly remembered as a devoted Christian, always giving a helping hand to her family, her church family, and neighbors. 

Mavis is survived by her children, Rusty Phelps (Marie), Linda Coulter (Daniel), Barbara Phelps, Bonny Gentry (Daniel), Donna Starr (Ephraim), Michael Phelps (Lori), and Andy Phelps; sister, Frances Shore; grandchildren, Greg Phelps (Becky), Jessica Wheelis (Jeremy), Travis Phelps, April Ellis (Brandon), Mary King (Tre), Thomas Lecky (Tori), Candice Lynch, Carly Phelps, Noah Phelps, Isaac Starr, Sylvia Starr, and Elliott Starr; and 20 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Turnbough.

Flowers are acceptable or memorial contributions can be directed to Amedisys Hospice Home Care, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 and Bethesda Baptist Church, 2004 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703.