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Charles PHELPS Obituary
He was born in Chesterfield County the son of the late Zeb Bryant and Mary Francis Firth Phelps. He was raised in Richmond and New Kent County. In 1954, he moved to Surry County and opened P & E Motors with his brother-in-law, Dick Edwards.
Charles worked in many areas of the Peninsula, as a body shop manager, such as Buford Buick in Hampton, Nick Allen Buick in Newport News and then coming back to the Smithfield area at US 258 Parts and Body Shop. He opened Charlie's Body Shop in 1978, which is now owned by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Johnny Livesay, until retirement in February 2000.
Charles was very active in the Backwood Bass in Smithfield and Peninsula Bass fishing clubs. He was also an avid hunter and was a member of the Surry and Beechland Hunt Club. Charles served as a past member of the Surry Volunteer Fire Department.
Charles leaves behind a wife, three daughters, four grandsons, and three great-grandsons.
Services will be private at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Friends may join the family other times at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Surry Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 260, Surry, VA 23883; or the Surry Volunteer Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 188, Surry, VA 23883.
Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles PHELPS
5 Entries
Everett Schrader
January 12, 2010
I will remember Charlie as "Bruno" the nickname he went by on the USS Ira Jeffery DE 63 in WW II. He was undoubtedly the finest seaman aboard. His knowledge and skills earned him the rating of Boatswain's Mate second class. Also as a person he was well respected and enjoyed being with his shipmates on liberty. He was a good man.
Gary & Peggy Williams
January 6, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lucy Bailey Wayno
January 5, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. He will always be a fond memory of my teenage,and married years as I look back on his association w/ my father, Bill Bailey. Charlie always had a smile and a friendly word for everyone and when you took your car to him for body work, you knew it would be perfection. He was a man of his word and a handshake and a smile sealed any promise he made. He was a man of his word. The world will miss him as they will rarely see a man of his caliber again. Remember, what seems to us a sunset on a life well lived is on the other side, a glorious sunrise of a new life in Heaven just beginning. My heartfelt sympathies to each of you and my prayers. Fondly, Lucy Bailey Wayno
Sandy Gwaltney
January 5, 2010
Debi, Johnny and family, I am very sorry to hear about your father. He was a good man and always so pleasant to talk to. He surely will be missed by family and friends. My thoughts are with you and my prayers.
Suzanne Cox
January 4, 2010
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
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