Helen Lee Phelps, 95, formerly of Huntingtown, Maryland went home to be with the Lord on January 1, 2022 at The Hermitage in Solomons, Maryland.  Helen was born on June 16, 1926 to Alvin and Lillie (Jones) Buckler in her childhood home in Stoakley (Prince Frederick), Maryland.  Born the ninth of ten children, Helen spoke often of working on the family farm as well as helping her mom prepare meals for a family of 12 and the farm workers!  Helen graduated from Calvert High School.  She was proud to know that the school Alma Mater she wrote in high school is still being sung there today.  In fact, her great-grandson graduated last year with his class singing the song his great-grandmother had written.

On October 1, 1944, Helen married Lewis Phelps (from Texas) and she quickly went from farm life to Navy wife. Together, Helen and Lewis raised three children:  Judith, Tom, and Dotty.  Navy life afforded the family opportunities to live in Hawaii, California, Washington State, and Cambridge, Maryland.  During Lewis’ many deployments, Helen took on the responsibilities of being a Navy wife.  She took care of three children, household finances, and their home, with determination and love.

After 20 years of Navy life, Helen and Lewis decided to retire and make Calvert County their home.  Lewis owned a service station and Helen worked for Garner and Duff Florist for many years.  Helen also volunteered more than 20 years in her daughter Dotty’s first grade classroom where many children were blessed by her loving attention.  Helen loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren as they were growing up.  When she was later blessed with 12 great-grandchildren, her heart was filled with love for each one.  Helen enjoyed cooking and will be remembered by family and friends for her wonderful meals, famous chicken salad, lemon meringue pies, pound cakes, donuts, and Christmas cookies.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lewis Riley Phelps, brothers:  Stanley, Gorman, and Thomas, and sisters:  Grace Humphreys, Marguerite Gettier, Doris Hall, Lucille Wood, Thelma Trott, and Betty Phelps.  She is survived by her daughter Judith Sturgis and husband Ben of Huntingtown, son Tom Phelps and wife Rosemary of Huntingtown, and daughter Dotty Schenk and husband Darryl of Sunderland.  She is also survived by five grandchildren:  Mary Susan Roorda (Chris), Tom Phelps (Karen), Ben Phelps (Mary), Amy Bevard (Bruce), and Julie Leach (Matt).  Helen leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren:  Owen, Clara, Andrew, Sara, Caleb, Jacob, Hannah, Anna, Abby, Lily, Lucy, and Thomas.

Helen was a member of Bayside Baptist Church.  Loved by all who knew her, Helen will be remembered fondly as a woman who loved and served others with the love of Christ.