Mary Elizabeth Phelps (Herod)

Mary Elizabeth (Herod) Phelps was born on July 27, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the third of three children born to Joseph and Vera (Reddin) Herod. Her family gathered to Independence, Missouri in 1946 from Oklahoma. She attended school in Independence, Missouri, and graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1960. She received her associate degree in secretarial science from Graceland College, and she worked as a secretary at various places. Mary had the opportunity to work at the RLDS Auditorium in the radio department with Apostle Arthur Oakman. On August 7, 1966, she married Raymond Phelps, in Independence, Missouri, at the Liberty Street RLDS Church. They were blessed with two children, Angela and Tamara.

Mary loved her Savior and followed Him faithfully all her life. She was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 7, 1951 in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and most recently was a member at the Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch. She served the church in many ways, including with the Enoch Hill Girls Department, with Ray as youth group leaders at several branches, and participating in many scripture studies and church history trips. She was also the first secretary and board secretary of Center Place Restoration School from 1991-1996. She loved CPRS and worked hard to see it organized successfully, then resigned when her first grandchild was born, so she could be home to love her family.

Mary’s greatest joy was being with her family. She loved cooking and baking, and was known as Merri Crocker by some friends. Every Sunday, family and friends gathered at 1 o’clock for dinner. The back door was always open for visitors, and extra chairs were always ready to be added to the table for meals, church discussions, birthday celebrations, and fellowship. She was incredibly organized in everything she did. Mary came up with designs to improve and beautify the house and yard she had lived in since she was four years old, and Ray executed their joint vision every year. She also loved scrapbooking, sending out annual family newsletters, and keeping up with the news – a reflection of her love for her country.

At 80 years old, Mary passed away peacefully in her childhood home on March 12, 2023 and will be buried at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Vera Herod; and her brother, Bill Herod. She is survived by her husband, Ray Phelps; her brother, Jim Herod; her sister-in-law, Bette Herod; her daughter, Angie Goff, and granddaughter Joanna (Tre Williams), Joanna’s sisters Alex and Autumn, and great-granddaughter Octavia; her daughter, Tammy Tandy (Jon), and grandchildren James (Angela), Jessica, Eliana, Vanessa; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, honorary grandchildren, and friends. She loved everyone with open arms.

The family suggests contributions to Center Place Restoration School.