Lena Wilmetta “Mettie” Cox Phelps, 85, of Bellefontaine, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.
She was born Feb. 16, 1933, in Washington Township, Logan County, a daughter of the late William and Laura Foughty Cox.
On Sept. 21, 1952, she married Carl Eugene Phelps, and he preceded her in death Jan. 16, 2008.
She is survived by three sons, Clay Phelps of Rushsylvania, Edgar Phelps of Belle Center and Gary (Russlyn) Phelps of Bellefontaine; two daughters, Linda Conkle of Florida and Wilma Jean Snapp of Lima; 14 grandchildren; three stepgrandsons; seven great-grandchildren; three great-stepgrandchildren; one brother, Delmar Cox of West Liberty; three sisters, Mary Weber of Bellefontaine, Phyllis Burkhammer of Russells Point and Betty Jane Cockerell of Celina; three sisters-in-law, Martha Cox, Tempa Cox and Sylvia Cox; one brother-in-law, Willie I Burkhammer; and numerous neces and nephews.
She was a devoted wife and homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She loved cooking for her family, working in the yard, playing cards, taking pictures, bowling and playing with her grandchildren.
She was a member of First Friends Church of Bellefontaine. She taught Sunday school for 10 years and also was the statistician for 20 years.
She also was preceded in death by seven brothers ,James Cox, Walter Cox, Wilson Cox, Carlyle “Junior”, Alfred Cox, Herbert Cox and Earl Cox; three sisters, Laura Mae Longbreak, Naomi Cox and Velda Cox; one great-grandson, David Boone; and one great-great-grandson, David Boone Jr.
Memorial gifts may be made to any of the following: American Cancer Society, American Heart Society, Ohio Hospice and Healthcare, and First Friends Church, 808 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, OH 43311.
Funeral services are at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home, 5591 S. U.S. Route 68, West Liberty, where visitation begins at 4 p.m., prior to the service.