Beech Tree News Network

James "Big Jim" Phelps, 77 of Morgantown, Ky. passed away Friday, August 1, 2014 at his residence. The Butler County native was born December 4, 1936 to the late Lester and Pauline Shephard Phelps. Big Jim started his public service career as Butler County Deputy Sheriff and was elected as sheriff of Butler County and started serving in 1978, after being sheriff he started working as Deputy Jailer at the Butler County Jail in 1983 until present. Big Jim was known in this community as being a fair sheriff and deputy jailer by treating people with respect and giving people a chance to prove themselves. He had a big impact and loved the inmates at the jail always trying to lead them in the right direction of life. Besides being a public servant he loved taking care of his farm and especially the cows and messing with tractors and enjoyed going to the picking and grinning on Thursday nights where our local talent played and sang. He was a member of Temple Hill General Baptist Church and Kentucky Colonel. Other than his parents he is preceded in death by two sisters Nola Phelps Embry and Sarah Phelps Lee and two brothers Randall Phelps and William Phelps.
James "Big Jim" Phelps is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Bessie Jones Phelps; one son Donnie Phelps of Morgantown, Ky.; three daughters Kaye Tomes and husband Ken, Gayle Phelps and husband Tony and Tamera Decker and husband Jeff all of Morgantown, Ky.; 9 grandchildren Brandon Phelps of Morgantown, Ky., Natosha Baribeau of Morgantown, Ky., Jeremy Tomes and wife Brittany of Roundhill, Ky., Austin Meredith and wife Hillary of Poplar Springs, Ky., Lacey Hawkins and husband Zack of Clarkson, Ky., Kayla Childress and husband Kyle of Club Run, Ky., Jessica Washer and husband Hank of Bowling Green, Ky., Justin Phelps and wife Kelsey of Hadley, Ky. and Niki Oakley and husband Adam of Newberg, Indiana; 11 great grandchildren and 1great great grandchild; two sisters Marcella Hammers and Helen Henderson both of Morgantown, Ky.; seven brothers Leo Phelps of Cerritos California, Clifton Nip Phelps and wife Betty Sue, Everett Phelps and wife Dimple, Charlie Phelps, Raymond Phelps, David Phelps and wife Karen and Martin Phelps and wife Debbie all of Morgantown, Ky. and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Jones Funeral Chapel Monday, August 4, 2014 at 1:00pm with Bro. Mark Alford and Bro. Scott Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Phelps Cemetery. Visitation will begin Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 12:00pm - 8:00pm and Monday, August 4, 2014 from 8:00am until funeral time at 1:00pm at the Jones Funeral Chapel. Share your photos, memories and condolences for James "Big Jim" Phelps at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com