Bland Nelson Phelps

B. (Bland) Nelson Phelps, (Chip, Papa, Dad), 79, a resident of Orange Grove, Texas was welcomed by our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 7th as the result of complications from a motor vehicle accident. He was born October 28, 1942 in Washington D.C., to Portia Katherine (Kitty) Panagopoulos and Gerald Nelson Phelps. Nelson grew up in Virginia on the “Phelpsmore” family farm. He joined the United States Army in 1965 and was transferred to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir and met his wife to be, Carlene. He married Mary Carlene Jones on June 28, 1968 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio. Both Nelson and Carlene loved singing in the choir. Nelson was honorably discharged March 28, 1971. That same year he earned his BBA from UT Austin and continued school to earn his MBA from UTSA. Nelson worked through school as a hematologist and went on to manage several different restaurants in San Antonio. After graduating with his MBA, he moved into retail management and eventually into business consulting. Carlene passed away on July 25, 1998. They had been married for 30 years.

Surviving are his two sons, Gerald Edward Phelps, married to Ruth, and living in Orange Grove, Texas and William Preston Phelps, married to Martha, and living in San Antonio, Texas; five granddaughter; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his four brothers, their wives, and their families. This includes many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents. He loved cooking, especially desserts, and gardening. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Corpus Christi, where he served on various committees and actively participated in the life of the church, from building care to gardening, and many other missional opportunities serving his local community.

A Celebration of Life will be held at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi, Texas on January 8th at 10:30 a.m. Followed by a light lunch reception for all. The service will be broadcast on Facebook live on the All Saint’s Corpus Christi Facebook page.

Although Nelson had a green thumb, his children were not blessed the same way. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for the support of their “Legacy Fund”. Mail checks to: 13026 Leopard, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 or visit the church website and click the donate button: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (standrewsincc.org)