Mary Lou Phelps

Mary Lou Phelps, 82, of De Leon, Texas and formerly of Hobbs, New Mexico, went home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, with her loving family by her side.

She was born February 10, 1936, in Silverton, Texas to Fladger Alfred Fitzgerald and Ruby Elena Strange Fitzgerald.

To capture the fullness of Mary Lou’s (“Mom”, “Meme” and “George”) life in a few sentences is difficult, but we will give it our best. She was a daughter of a policeman, a 1953 graduate of Clarendon High School, a cheerleader, wore cat-eyed glasses and danced the Jitterbug. She began her career as a telephone operator then moved on to become one of the real Madmen-era secretaries that helped lay the path for women in business. Through Mary Lou’s hard work and determination, she retired as an office manager and even continued to work until her passing.

Mary Lou loved sports – especially University of Texas football and basketball. As a lifelong Longhorn fan and in her later years, many Saturdays were spent cheering on the Burnt Orange and White in her favorite chair with her dog “Pickles” nearby. Hook ‘em Horns! Mary Lou enjoyed antiquing and the thrill of the garage sale hunt. She was especially passionate about Goofus decorative glass and at one time had one of the largest collections around. Mary Lou was a member of Pyatt Baptist Church. She located to the De Leon area in 2010 to live near one of her sons and daughter-n-law. The most important thing to Mary Lou was her family and she loved and cared for them as nothing less than a matriarch. She was a funny, spirited and loving mother, daughter, sister and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mary Lou leaves behind a large, loving legacy in her family. She is survived by her children; Dan Whitsell and wife, Amy, Tony Whitsell and wife, Christi, Dennis Whitsell and wife, Beth, and Denise Court-DeVore and husband, Adrian; grandchildren, Lauren Whitsell, John Whitsell, Eric Lester, Jeston Whitsell and wife, Angel, Tyler Garrett Whitsell and wife, Courtney, Caitlan Chagnon and husband, Noah, A. Josiah Whitsell and wife, Cristina, Annelise Baker and husband, Chase, Luke Whitsell, Madison Whitsell, Adanna Court and Adam Court; nine great- grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Fladger and Ruby Fitzgerald; brother, Gary Fitzgerald; and husband of twenty years, Daniel Whitsell.

A Celebration of Mary Lou’s life was held Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home, De Leon, with Tony Whitsell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com.