Pamela M. Phelps

 Pamela M. Phelps, 61, of Center, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 8, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family. Pam was born and raised in Galveston County, to father Harvey Gene Sutton and mother Mary Jane Richards Sutton. As the eldest sibling and only daughter, Pam embraced being a leader and caretaker; traits that she exuded throughout her life.

In 1975, Pam wed Jerry R. Phelps with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Shortly after they wed, Pam and Jerry moved to Center, Texas where they raised their two children, Valerie Ogle and Nathan Phelps, and created a circle of close friends that quickly became their extended family. Her Texas pride and love of people directed her to obtain her license with Town & Country Real Estate. During her 38 years in Center, Pam was an active community member and a dedicated steward of service.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she acted as MYF leader for many years. She also joined Beta Sigma Phi sorority and served in multiple leadership positions. Her proudest appointment was serving as the Executive Director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. A position she held for 19 years.

Pam maintained a love for the Texas Coast and Galveston. Her family’s annual summer trip to Bolivar was also an open invitation to anyone who happened to be down on the coast. And Pam, an effortless hostess, was always at the ready to greet you with something delicious.

She is lovingly remembered as a woman who treasured friendships, remembered all the details of a shared conversation, and believed you should rejoice in all of life’s moments, big and small.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Phelps, and her parents Harvey Gene Sutton and Mary Jane Richards Sutton.

She is survived by her children Valerie Ogle and husband, Tommy, of Longview Nathan Phelps and wife, Amber, of Center; grandchildren, Maggie and Mollie Kate Ogle Kiptyn and Baylin Phelps; brothers, Richard Sutton and wife, Karen, of League City, Russell Sutton and wife, Donna, of Pearland; nieces, Emily Sutton Arbuckle of League City, Kate Sutton Shimek and husband, Chris, of Friendswood, Erika Lacey and husband, David, of Dickinson

Brooke Sutton of Pearland, Brittany Decoteau and husband, Kameron, of Pearland, Uncle: Richard T. Richards, of Longview, cousins, Carter Richards of Michigan, Margaret Banta and husband, Jon, of Longview.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church, 211 Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935 or Affinity Hospice, 1400 Tenaha Street, Suite C., Center, Texas 75935.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas.

A graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas.