Joanne Marie Phelps

Joanne "Jody" Marie Gunn Phelps passed away peacefully in her sleep January 1, 2022, at her residence in Katherine's Place in Fayetteville, Ark. Jody was born March 1, 1932, in Houston, Texas, to parents Van and Marie Gunn. She grew up traveling all through the South in the oil fields from Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. She was an outstanding student, graduating high school at 16, going on to pursue an art degree at the Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. She married Jack Phelps and quickly transitioned to a housewife, mother and railroad wife. Moving with the railroad from Texas to Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Iowa. She was always very involved with her children's school and athletics. She did artwork for the schools and was always in the stands for the games. Jody was always an animal lover from horses, cats, dogs and even a parrot. Through the years there were many animals lucky to call her mom. Jody was preceded in death by her parents Van and Marie Gunn, a daughter-in-law Rhonda Phelps (Blair) and grandson Chris Nelson. Jody had four children: Connie Cochran of Lincoln, Ark., Buz Phelps of Fayetteville, Ark., Van Phelps and wife, Kathy, of Houston, Texas, Scott Phelps and wife, Kellie, of Des Moines, Iowa. She had nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local animal shelter or Washington Regional Hospice Home. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com