Carolyn B. Phelps passed away peacefully at home March 25, 2023. Carolyn was born January 24, 1939 in Carthage to George and Geraldine Beimdiek Jr. Carolyn attended Mark Twain Elementary School, graduating from Carthage High School in 1956. She attended Vassar University before graduating from the University of Missouri in 1960 with a degree in Education. Carolyn married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, John O. “Pat” Phelps on August 6, 1960, in Carthage at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.
Throughout her lifetime in Carthage, Carolyn dedicated herself to community service and was a devoted friend and helpmate to many. She could always be counted on to help a friend or to ease another’s burden when any need arose. Carolyn’s lifetime of service to the Carthage community includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Carthage R-9 Board of Education, the Carthage R-9 Foundation, the Missouri School Board Association, the McCune-Brooks Foundation, the St. Luke’s Nursing Center, the Fair Acres Family YMCA, the MSSU Board of Regents, the Missouri Southern Foundation Board, and the MSSU International Piano Competition. She was appointed by the Governor of Missouri to the Excellence in Education Administrator Assessment Committee. She served on the Jasper County Courthouse restoration committee. She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader; American Red Cross volunteer; and was the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1996. She is a member of the Mimosa Garden Club, PEO, and McCune Brooks Hospital Auxiliary. Carolyn was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where she served as a vestry member, general convention delegate, on the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of West Missouri, St. Margaret’s Alter Guild, and Daughter of the King. In 2012, Carolyn, along with Pat were named Grand Marshals for the annual Maple Leaf Parade.
Carolyn has been an active participant in historic preservation efforts in Carthage and the surrounding area, including The Phelps House, The Sweet House, the Jasper County Courthouse, St. Ann’s Church, the family’s buildings on the Carthage Square, and the Cave Spring School in Sarcoxie. Along with Pat, she jointly served as Director Emeritus on the board of Carthage Historic Preservation. In addition to ongoing support for preservation, Carolyn along with Pat, have been generous givers to MSSU. In recognition of their gifts to the university, an Interdisciplinary Simulation Lab in the Leon Health Sciences Center and a theatre in the Billingsly Student Center are named in their honor. In 2015, Carolyn was honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from MSSU. Recently Pat and Carolyn contributed to the “Big Dreams Grow In Carthage” mural on the southeast corner of the Carthage Square. Carolyn’s family roots in Carthage run deep and she has given her time, talents, and treasure over her lifetime to enhance this community for generations to come.
Carolyn leaves behind her three children, Carrie Phelps, Alison Phelps Holman (Chris), and William H. “Bill” Phelps (Lora); 9 grandchildren: Jonathan Holman (Rebekah), Stephen Holman (Megan), Patrick Holman (Jillyan), Rebekah Holman, Lexie Kyriakidis Parks (Frank), Caroline Holman, Theo Kyriakidis, Sheridan Phelps, and Harlow Phelps; great-grandchildren, Ezra Holman and Logan Osterman; her brother Steve Beimdiek (Mary); nephews Kevin Phelps and Michael Phelps; nieces Kate Phelps Fischer, Laura Phelps Shaw, Ann Beimdiek Kinsella, and Erin Logsdon; and cousins Pat Brackley, Sarah Sperry (Dick) and Barbara Roach.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Pat; her parents, George Jr and Geraldine Beimdiek; her cousin Mike Brackley, and her nephews Johann Stephen (Hans) Beimdiek and Christopher Beimdiek.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 5pm to 7pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage. The funeral service will be Friday, May 12, 2023 at 2:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, with burial to follow at Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Carolyn’s lifelong dedication to the preservation of Carthage, donations may be made to Vision Carthage; Carthage Historic Preservation; or the Carthage R-9 Foundation.
To honor Carolyn’s lifelong dedication to and support of excellence in education in the Carthage R-9 School District, please vote YES for the PAC on the April 4 ballot.
