EULOGY GIVEN BY CHARLES FREEMAN AT THE FUNERAL OF HIS NUNLEY COUSIN WINSTON PHELPS

EULOGY GIVEN BY CHARLES FREEMAN AT THE FUNERAL OF HIS NUNLEY COUSIN:

WINSTON PHELPS

This Eulogy is given for Winston Phelps, but it describes the Relationship between two Nunley Sisters and their Children.  In an even larger context, it describes the special facial relationship between all the NUNLEY CHILDREN and their Families over the years and the generations.  Blessed are the Families that are raised in this type of Family Heritage.

Winston’s last name is Phelps and mine is Freeman, but we were raised by Nunley sisters,  Nunley values.  FAITH and FAMILY were the most important of the PRINCIPLES they taught.  If Winston had passed away ten, or 15 or 20 years ago, this place would be filled with our cousins and their families.  We would have at least 4 preachers from 3 different denominations; and singing like few have ever heard.  But of our more than 3 dozen cousins, only six are left.  Winston’s passing leaves my brother Dale the oldest; and as he has been for over 70 years, Dalton is our youngest.  

As one song says, “We were raised on country music,” and ever since word came of Winston’s passing I have been hearing these words of a 1980’s country song:

If life is like a candle bright, death must be the wind.

You can close your window tight, and it still comes flowing in.

So I will climb the highest hill and watch the rising sun;

And I pray that I don't feel the chill till I'm too old to die young.

Let me watch my children grow to see what they become.

Oh Lord, don't let that cold wind blow till I'm too old to die young.

Well, the Lord answered Winston’s prayer, and let him live to see, and experience, and know what a find man he had raised in Scott.  Scott and Karen have given Winston the love and care that every parent hopes for.    I don’t believe that any of us, can ask God for more than that.  

Our Mothers were the youngest of the 12 children born to Jesse Claiborne Nunley and his wife Laura Ann Hobbs.  The oldest 7 were born in Tennessee, and the last 5 in Texas and Louisiana, after they moved west in 1900 (119 years ago).  Our Ancestor Richard Nunley arrived in the Colony of Virginia before 1630.  It took our family 8 generations and over two and a half centuries to move from Virginia to Texas.  In contrast, Winston traveled much of the world.  He lived a rich and varied and meaningful life and blessed so very many. 

Winston was born on May 9, 1931 in Call, Texas and was the second of six children born to John Marshall and Minnie Nunley Phelps.  He was granted his longtime wish to join his wife Darnell in Heaven on Monday, September 16, 2019 after succumbing to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.  Winn, as he was affectionately known, was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Darnell Anthony Phelps, his parents, two brothers Robert Phelps and Harlan Phelps, one sister Maidland Phelps Odom, and a son-in-law Louis C. (Gus) Hall, III.  

     Winn served his country in the Air Force and came home to marry the love of his life, Darnell in 1958.  The family relocated to California where he worked for many years in the construction industry and raised their family.  Winn owned and operated his own businesses and acquired properties throughout the years.  He obtained his real estate license and worked in that business until returning to Louisiana in the early 1970’s.  After earning his Broker’s license and opening his own real estate office in Mansfield, Winston continued in real estate and property ownership in Logansport, Mansfield and then Shreveport until his retirement.  

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling.  He was a member of Summer Grove Baptist Church and he and Darnell were active Gideons for many years.  Winston was a man of God and never missed an opportunity to tell others about his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

     Winston is survived by his daughters Shirley Phelps Claire, Jean Phelps Hall, son Scott R. Phelps and wife Karen; granddaughters Wendy McLay and husband Eddy, Jennifer Paulson, and Heather Fulco; grandsons Chad Terra, Bryan Terra and wife Tiffany, Matthew Hall and wife Sissy; Zach Phelps, Ian Phelps and wife Stephanie, and Duncan Phelps; brothers Luke Phelps, Dalton Phelps and wife Linda; and eight great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his beloved grandsons.

     The family expresses great appreciation to Dad’s longtime dedicated caregivers Gloria Brown, Sharon Bowens, Irene Thomas, Shelletta Brown, Romona Walker, Amanda Byram, and Norvisha Curtis.

My life and those of my five brothers have always intertwined with the lives of the six children of my Aunt Minnie.  The Nunley sisters each had six children, and Minnie succeeded once in accomplishing what Britt Annie never did — having a daughter.  It was almost as though the sisters tried to have matched pairs:  Travis and Robert; Billy and Winston; JC and Maidland; Dale and Harlan; Cornell and I; and Dalton and Dennis.  We were cousins, playmates, rivals in athletics, and always friends.  Of the 12, only four remain.