Bessie L. Phelps, 87, lifetime Ellensburg area resident, died Monday [November 8, 1976] at a local nursing home. She was born in Ellensburg, Sept. 15, 1889, a daughter of the late James E. and Elizabeth McEwen Ferguson.
She attended Dysart School No. 5 in the Fairview district. She and Odie N. Phelps, were married in 1914 (correct date was August 30, 1911) and they operated the Palm Café and Candy Store on Pearl Street for a number of years in partnership with the late Dan Bates. The Phelps lived in Lewiston, Ida. And Portland, Ore. For a time during the 1920’s returning to Ellensburg in 1926. Mr. Phelps died in 1959.
Mrs. Phelps made her home from 1942 to 1974 on the Vantage Hiway at the intersection of Ferguson Road. She moved for a year to Colorado Springs, Colo. To live with a niece, Mrs. Myrtle Fray. She returned to Ellensburg in 1975 and has made her home at the nursing home since that time. She was a member of the first Baptist Church.
She is survived by one son, Frank Phelps, and one brother, Ben Ferguson, both of Ellensburg, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews in the valley.
Funeral will be Thursday afternoon, at 2 a.m. at Evenson Funeral Home. The Rev. Alvin Lustie will officiate and burial will follow at the IOOF Cemetery.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman