Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps

1922 - 2008

Arthella "Artie" Louise Phelps of Camarillo departed from this earthly realm on Oct. 1, 2008.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Newell "Ray" Phelps, her children and grandchildren, her Baha'i community, and all who knew her.

Artie was born in Harrison, Ohio, on Dec. 26, 1922, to Frederick and Fern Lust. One of six girls, she grew up in Mulberry, Ind., on her grandparents' farm.

Artie was a fine musician and met her husband, Ray, after her all-girl swing band finished their concert at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. She was lead trumpet and vocalist for Freddie Shaffer's wartime band the "Victory Sweethearts," and went by the stage name "Louise Lust." Her band was often featured on national radio broadcast, and Artie would dedicate songs on air to her then-fiance, Ray.

On Feb. 13, 1954, they eloped to Las Vegas to be married in the "Little Chapel of the West." They later moved to Santa Monica, Calif., and in 1965 moved to Camarillo.

Artie was a dedicated wife and homemaker. By conservative estimates, her family has calculated that Artie baked about 257,400 cookies, packed over 18,000 brown-bag lunches, and did over 20,000 sparkling loads of laundry in her lifetime, always with unwavering love and generosity of spirit. She was well loved by the many families she befriended and was an honorary "Mom," "Aunt" and "Grandma" to countless children.

Artie was a dedicated servant of the Baha'i Faith, and was a pillar in her local community. She travelled on Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites of the Baha'i faith in Haifa, Israel in 1986 and again in 2007. She was a longtime member of the local Baha'i governing body, the Local Spiritual Assembly. She was an inspiration and example of love, kindness, and generosity for all who knew her.

Artie lived with an admirable vitality and health. She was a devoted "golf-wife," and introduced the game to Ray, who quickly became addicted. She was an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan and loved to watch games "over-the-phone" with her friend from the band days. She and Ray loved to watch tennis and traveled to Switzerland to visit with their tennis friend and "honorary son" Steve and family. She and Ray were known for their marathon bridge games with friends and neighbors, often until early morning hours. She volunteered at Camarillo State Hospital, California Youth Authority and Adult Literacy classes. At the age of 85 she bowled her first-ever game and made a strike on her first ball. It was a common sight to see Artie running, climbing trees, playing hide-and-seek or otherwise frolicking with grandchildren, often well after all other adults had been exhausted. She never slowed down and was living comfortably in her home until the end.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine, Miriam and Evelyn.

She is survived by her husband, Newell "Ray" Phelps; son, Paul and his wife Meg and grandchildren Cole and Emily of Santa Paula; son Scott and his wife Lisa and grandchildren Aidan and Ariel of Pasadena; daughter Stacey Kimmerer and her husband Tom and grandchildren William, Gregory and Allison of Lexington, Ky.; sister, Welthea Rule of Crawfordsville, Ind.; and sister Guyneth Maines of Jacksonville, Fla.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo. Following the interment, all are welcome to gather at the Phelps family home.

Friends are encouraged to visit a web site dedicated to her memory, where they can see pictures and share stories. Please go to http://arthella.phelps.muchloved.com.

Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is Conejo Mountain Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo; 482-1959.