Phoebe H. (Herold) Phelps

Phoebe Herold Phelps of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died on May 20, 2016 at age 93.  She was born in Sutton West Virginia on March 17, 1923 to Senator Anderson C. and Phoebe Genevieve (Lee) Herold.  Phoebe graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1940, where she was the first woman president of her senior class.  She graduated from West Virginia University with a B.S degree in Business and Economics.  On December 18, 1947, she married Harold J. Phelps and they moved to Grand Rapids, MI.

Phoebe was an active member of the Grand Rapids community, volunteering her time and talents to many organizations.  She served on the Bread Board of Blodgett Hospital; was a member of the Grand Rapids Art Museum Board; worked on the Symphony Fund Campaign; and volunteered for Welcome Home for the Blind through the Delta Gamma Sorority.  She was in the Junior League and was active in the Children’s Theatre, participating in many plays.  Phoebe was also president of the Porter Hills Women’s Board.

She enjoyed playing tennis and golf, and was a member of the Kent Country Club and the Pere Marquette Rod and Gun Club.  She and her husband Harold traveled to all fifty US states and seven continents and spent many winters in Bonita Springs, Florida.  

She joined the Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1949 and was an active member serving as president of Kings Daughters and Eaton Circle.  She was recording secretary for the Women’s Association.  She was also active with the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs while in FL and the faith community at Porter Hills the past the last 12 years while living at Porter Hills.

Phoebe was predeceased in death by her endeared husband Harold J. Phelps of 66 years, her parents, and her 4 siblings: Lt. Col. William L. Herold (Eleanor), Martha J. Herold, Dr. James L. Herold (Libby), and Anderson C. Herold, Jr. (Virginia) as well as her nephew William L. Herold, Jr. (Nancy).  

She is survived by Ann Herold Trexler (Donald); Linda Peterson Herold (widow of William L. Herold, Jr.); Margaret Herold Kneiss (Jack); Kimberlee Herold; William Herold II (Mary); and Robert Herold (Cathy) in addition to 19 grand and 29 great grandnieces and nephews.  Phoebe was a loving and caring person who was endeared by many family and friends alike. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 9th in the Porter Hills Meeting House.   Interment will be at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Columbarium at 1:30 p.m.

Donations may be made in her memory to Porter Hills Benevolence Foundation, or Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, or a charity of your choice.

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