Gailya Phelps

She was born to Grady Snell Nunnelee and Bernice Turner Nunnelee on March 13, 1938. After graduating from Troy High School, Gailya went to Troy State College where she met her future husband, Troy State baseball player, William “Bill” Phelps. He saw her on the square in downtown Troy and pointed her out to his roommate and announced that she was the girl he was going to marry. He later met her in the library and asked her for a date. Gailya graduated from Troy in three years with a degree in Business Education on May 29, 1959. They were married on July 12, 1959, at Old Lebanon Baptist Church in Troy. That union lasted 64 years.

They began their married life in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where Bill had already been working for a year. Gailya taught typing and shorthand at Choctawhatchee High School. Bill’s lengthy Civil Service Administration career took them next to Huntsville, Alabama. Atlanta was the next stop, where Terrell “Dean” was born in 1965. Jennifer Gailya was born in Memphis in 1967 and William Bradley “Brad” was born in 1972. The draw of being closer to both families led them back home to Alabama in 1974. They landed in Prattville, close to Bill’s job at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Gailya’s greatest joy was her family and her friends. Serving others was her hallmark. She played the piano at nursing homes and could also play a pump organ. She was a fabulous cook, a thoughtful note writer and faithful card sender. She was detailed and meticulous in all she did. She stayed home with her three children until Bill retired in 1988. For the first time in many years, she went back to work and worked in Governor Guy Hunt’s administration in his correspondence office.

She retired from the State of Alabama in 2006 to enjoy her grandchildren who arrived in rapid succession. Geneva “Eva” Nunnelee Phelps, Whitman “Whit” Phelps Davis, Emily Katherine Phelps, Mary Bradley Phelps, Elizabeth “Rivers” Davis and Charlotte “Lottie” McClain Phelps.

Gailya was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice Turner and Grady Snell Nunnelee. She is survived by her husband William “Bill” Jacob Phelps, son, Terrell “Dean” Phelps (Catherine), daughter Jennifer Gailya Phelps Davis (Jason), son William “Brad” Bradley (Kelley), and six grandchildren, Eva, Whit, Emily, Mary Bradley, Rivers and Lottie.

She is also survived by her brother, John Newman Nunnelee (Barbara); several nieces and nephews who were dear to her, Timothy Mack Branum, Candace Branum Armstrong, Michael Alan Phelps, Lisa Ruth Phelps Green, Frederic Scott Phelps, Gina Shay Nunnelee Nimmo and John Matthew Nunnelee. Her great nieces and nephews are Kylie, Cooper and Mary Kinsley Nimmo. She was preceded in death by her nephew Thomas Phelps Branum.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, with visitation an hour prior at 10:00 a.m. at Hunter Station Baptist Church on the Birmingham Highway in Montgomery with Reverend Earl Wise officiating. Soloist will be Joey Ammons and special speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Billye Graham. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Old Lebanon Baptist Church in Troy on Kelly Road with the Reverend Perry Green officiating. Pallbearers are Jason Brown, Tim Wesley, Matt Nunnelee, Cooper Nimmo, Rob Cocking and Kenneth Freeman.

Contributions can be made in her honor to the Melanoma Research Foundation/Cure Ocular Melanoma.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsprattvillechapel.com for the Phelps family.