Barbara Ann (Coons) Phelps

Barbara Ann Phelps, 72, of Raleigh, IL entered into the arms of Jesus at 8:05 pm Thursday, July 3, 2025, surrounded by her family in her home. Barbara, known as Barb or “Babs” by her husband, Mike, was born on January 20, 1953 as the fourth child of the late Ralph and Johanna Coons of Joliet, IL. She married her best friend and love of her life, Mike Phelps of Eldorado, on July 19, 1980 in Joliet, IL. The two shared 45 years of marriage. Barb is survived by two daughters, Katie (Joey) Jackson of Eldorado, and Rachel (Paul) Rademacher of Mt. Vernon. Barb is also survived by 4 grandsons: Oliver Jackson, Theo Jackson, Eliot Rademacher, and Logan Rademacher; 9 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces/nephews. Further surviving Barb are 5 brothers-and sisters-in-law: Larry and Kathy Phelps, Chris Phelps, David and Leslie Phelps. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, the late Carroll Ray Phelps. The 8 of them loved spending time together, along with the whole extended family, at weekly Sunday dinners and their special Friday night outings. Barb’s mother-in-law, the late Hazel Phelps, started the tradition of after-church family dinners on Sundays, now affectionately referred to by the family as “Phelps Family Dinners” or “PFD”. After Hazel passed in 1991, Barb, alongside her sisters-in-law, took up the mantle of hosting the dinners for the whole extended family (nearly 50 people now) every Sunday for many years. Barb moved from Joliet, IL to Eldorado, IL in 1980 after marrying Mike and the two raised their family in Raleigh, IL. Barb returned to school to earn her Masters degree after being a stay-at-home mom for many years with her two girls. She worked at Gallatin County School District for 15 years as a teacher of middle school science and math. After she retired, she devoted her time to taking care of her grandsons.

She loved her family, especially her grandsons, and took every opportunity to spend time with them. She was an avid dog lover and raised both Collies and Golden Retrievers throughout her life. Barb’s true life’s work, aside from being a wonderful mother and Nana, was in service to the Lord and her church. She was a member of Star General Baptist Church for 40 years and was honored to be appointed as the first female Deacon in March 2025, alongside her sister-in-Christ and “Bestest Buddy”, Connie Miller. Throughout the 1990’s, she spent nearly a decade cleaning the church weekly with the cleaning crew, “The Dew Drops”, compromised of several dear friends and faithful women of the church. The crew volunteered hours of their time every week to ensure the church was clean and cared for. She hosted many weekly Bible studies and discipleship groups in her home throughout the years. She was considered by many to be a Prayer Warrior. Barb possessed a true burden and passion for the lost and those who were sick and suffering, never missing an opportunity to pray for and witness to those around her. She used her own 20 year journey with cancer to encourage and pray for others. Barb’s life was a story of redemption and unwavering faith. It was Barb’s greatest desire that her life and testimony be used to lead others to Christ. Memorial contributions can be made to Star Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Funeral services will be held at Star General Baptist Church in Eldorado, IL on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:00 am-1:00 pm with funeral service immediately following at 1:00 pm.Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com