Denzel Phelpsjean Phelps

Obituary

Mr. Denzel Phelps and Jean Phelps walked home together to be with our Lord on March 31, 1998. Denzel, 72, suffered from a brain aneurysm on Monday, March 30, and despite efforts to save him with surgery he was declared brain dead on Tuesday night. Jean, 70, collapsed at Denzel's bedside and also despite tremendous efforts to save her, died ten minutes before Denzel.

Jean had told many family members and friends that "she could not live without him". They had been married nearly 40 years.

Denzel and Jean, formerly of Johnson County, Ky., were long-time residents of Fort Myers, and were members of the First Christian Church.

They are survived by a daughter, Jeannie Denise Nelson of Fort Myers; and Denzel is survived by his mother, Laura Phelps, 93, of Van Lear, Ky. He is also survived by two sons: James Phelps of Indianapolis, Ind. and David Phelps of Richmond, Ky. Jean is survived by a daughter, Sherolyn Ann Howard of Louisa, Ky.; and a son, Ronald Bert Stambaugh of Lake Placid, Fla.

They are survived by ten grandchildren: Jeannie Nicole Nelson, Richard Nicholas Nelson, and Christina Denise Nelson of Fort Myers, Stacey Dene Stambaugh and Whitney Anne Stambaugh of Lake Placid, Fla., David Scott Howard, Michael Brian Howard, and Alan Casey Howard of Louisa, Ky., Amy Lynn Phelps and Melissa Ann Phelps of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bailey Phelps of Richmond, Ky.; and one great-grandchild, Ashlie Eastep of Indianapolis, Ind. Denzel is survived by one brother and two sisters in Kentucky. Jean was preceded in death by her eldest brother, James Witten, a part-time resident of Fort Myers. She is survived by five brothers and sisters in Kentucky.

Denzel retired from Southland Corp. after 27 years as a district manager. Jean was a wonderful homemaker. They were both loving, caring parents and grandparents.

Local services will be Friday, April 3, at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church, McGregor Boulevard. The funeral will be held at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville, Ky., and burial will be at Staffordsville, Ky.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in their name.

Local arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, 3654 Palm Beach Boulevard.