James Hildreth Phelps

James H. Phelps, the son of the late John Hildreth Phelps and Lila Mae Nordan Phelps of Wake County died June 16, 2013 at Rex Hospital after an extended illness. James accepted Jesus as his Savior many years ago at former Calvary Baptist Church on South St. in Raleigh. His hobbies include metal detecting especially for Civil War artifacts. He wrote patriotic and historic stories and poems. Some recorded much of Wake Countys history. He also wrote inspirational poems for those that were discouraged. Mr. Phelps was active in volunteer work, helping the unprivileged children, the elderly, handicapped and others in need. He founded Project Santa and played Santa to hundreds of children and to the elderly in nursing homes. Many received toys and gifts that otherwise would not have enjoyed Christmas. His compassion extended to the Hugo storm victims, the homeless, giving radios to those in nursing homes and sending care packages to Desert Storm soldiers. Some of the acknowledgements of appreciation that he received were from governors of NC, Human Resources Dept. of City of Raleigh, former Raleigh Mayor Upchurch, Cities of Raleigh, NC, Hamlet, NC and McClellanville, SC and many individual letters of thanks. After his health declined, he rode his motorized wheelchair around Forest Hills in Garner delivering fruits and candies and sometimes his delicious home-made banana puddings to residents of local rest homes. He was preceded in death by a brother Robert Phelps and is survived by one sister Betty Moore (Donald) of Oak Island, NC, and a sister-in-law Daphine Phelps of Raleigh and 4 nephews. A Memorial Service will take place at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner on Sat. June 22 at 4PM. No flowers are requested. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of ones choice.