The Rev. Canon
Neal Phelps
On March 7, 2012, The Rev. Canon Neal Phelps rose to his new life in Jesus Christ
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians said, “Walk in love as Christ loved us.” And Neal, along with his wife Chris, did just that with their family.
He had a long tenure in ordained ministry, of which Father Phelps once said, “What a blessing, privilege, and joy it’s been to serve in the Diocese of Georgia. I thank God for this calling and I thank God for each of you and the Episcopal Church as the Body of Christ in this diocese.”
Canon Phelps served in the Diocese of Georgia with Bishop Paul Reeves, Bishop Harry Ships and Bishop Henry Louttit, Jr. He was a graduate of Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary in Wisconsin and was ordained deacon and priest by Bishop Reeves in 1975. After ordination, Fr. Phelps served for two years as Vicar of St. Matthew’s, Fitzgerald. In 1977, he accepted a call to be Rector of St. Augustine’s, Augusta where he lovingly pastored 26 years. Then in October 2003, Bishop Louttit asked him to serve as his Canon to the Ordinary. During that time he served as Priest in Charge to Christ Episcopal Church in Savannah, Georgia.
Canon Phelps served a variety of ministries in the Diocese of Georgia nearly too numerous to mention, including Worship and Liturgy, and Congregational Development, a committee he chaired. He was appointed Secretary of two Diocesan Conventions, sat on various diocesan convention committees, and represented the Diocese at nine General Conventions. As an elected officer of the diocesan Standing Committee, Fr. Phelps served as its president several times and chaired the Committee on the Election of the 8th Bishop of Georgia.
The Rev. Phelps was a native of Franklin County, NC and a member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church.
A memorial service will be held Sunday March 11, 2012 at 4:00 pm at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 3321 Wheeler Rd., Augusta with The Rev. Jason Haddox, The Rt. Rev. Scott A. Benhase and Rt. Rev. Henry I Louttit officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or please give blood in honor of The Rev. Canon Neal Phelps. The family will receive friends after the memorial service at the church.
Canon Phelps is survived by his wife, Chris, daughter, Allyson Stanland of Augusta, who is married to Fred Stanland, two grandchildren, Kathryn Stanland and Michael Janicki, sister Jean Gordon who is married to Bob of Durham, NC and brother Charles Ray Phelps who is married to Cindy of Louisburg, NC.
Well done good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at
www.thomaspoteet.com