Joy (Neeley) Phelps

Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Joy Neeley Phelps, returned to her Heavenly home and was reunited with many loved ones on November 5, 2019. Mom was the seventh of eleven children born to LaVern and Elmer Neeley. She was born on August 17, 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho. She married Lynn E. Phelps in April of 1950. They added 5 children to their family; Craig (Denice), Debra (John), Becky (Greg), Pam (R.J.) and David (Carla). Mom and dad were sealed to their children and her parents in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1960.

Mom always wanted to be a wife and mother above all else. She was the very best of both. Mom was true to her name and brought joy to others throughout her life. Her sisters Virginia, Cloda, Ruth, Jean, Myrle, Lou and Beth were also her best friends, confidants and companions throughout her life. She was close to her brothers, Calvin and Paul and also her sibling’s spouses. She is beloved by her 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Joy was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled callings in Primary, Relief Society and ward library, but her greatest callings were those that involved children, especially babies. She would stop young mothers everywhere she went just to admire and talk to their babies. Mom worked in retail, the Shelley, Idaho library and as a partner in many business adventures with her husband, Lynn. She worked with three of her sisters at Tot Lot Daycare for many years where she was known and loved as Grandma Joy.

Joy loved the season fall, all holidays, especially Christmas, reading, walking in the mall and enjoying a Coke with her sisters as they people watched. She loved working in her yard and in her roses and liked long drives with dad. She looked forward every summer to the Neeley Family Reunion where so many family members gathered and visited together. She most loved being with and playing with her grandchildren.

Mom will be extremely missed by her five children and their spouses, her grandchildren, her 3 surviving sisters, Jean, Lou, Beth and her brother-in-law, Pete, nieces and nephews and all those who had the privilege to know her sweet spirit.

Mom’s testimony and love of the gospel, her faith in her Savior and her Heavenly Father caused her not to fear leaving this world as she knew she would find loving family and great blessings and happiness beyond the veil.

We love you so much mom and will miss you everyday until we too leave this earth and are reunited with you and dad again, this time forever. You are and have always been our greatest hero. You have found your spot in the sun.

Celebration of life to be held on November 11, 2019, at Kool Beanz Café from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., 901 Pier View Drive #103, Idaho Falls. In place of flowers, our family would recommend a donation to Salmon Valley Hospice and Home Health, 404 Courthouse Drive, Salmon, ID 83467, whose care and assistance eased mom through her end of life. Our heartfelt thanks to Karla Adams for her love, patience and support.