Paul J. Phelps

Paul J. Phelps, 89, went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Saviour on Monday, May 28, 2012. He was born in Merry Hill, NC and grew up in Elizabeth City. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Indiana and USS Louisville ships, and was a WWII veteran. Paul was an operator for Norfolk & Western Railroad and retired after 37 years.

He is predeceased in death by his parents, Jordan and Mattie Phelps; his wife of 46 years, Amanda Phelps; 3 brothers, Palmer, Frank E. and Milton Phelps; and a son, Gary R. Phelps.

Paul is survived by his son, Frank E. Phelps, Sr. and his wife, Risa; his daughter, Paula Spruill and her husband Brett; a sister, Kay Frances Ahearn; and his grandchildren that were the apple of his eye, David C. and Frank E. Phelps, Jr., Gary W. Spruill and Bessann Spruill; and his ex-wife, Claudia Skittlethorp.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30pm on Monday, June 4, 2012 at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norview Chapel with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. You may offer condolences to the family at www.smithandwilliamsnorfolk.com.