Christen Carpenter Phelps, age 89, of Opelika, was born in the Pine Level Community of Louisville, Barbour County, Alabama on January 6, 1924 and went to be with the Lord, peacefully with family by her side on April 13, 2013 at Arbor Springs Health Center after a brief illness. Mrs. Phelps was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, James Nelva Phelps; her parents, Joseph and Tolitha Carpenter; sisters, Melmer Grubbs, Gertrude Hartzog, Lessie Baxley Smith and Myrtis Baxley; and her brothers, Foy Carpenter, Luther Carpenter, Westley Carpenter, Joseph "Shorty" Carpenter, Jr., and Billy E. Carpenter. She is survived by nieces, JoAnn (Gene) Striblin, Betty (Ross) Nutt, Imogene Hatfield, Louise (Fred) Skinner; nephews, Billy (Sue) Grubbs, Cecil Grubbs, Carlos (Karen) Baxley, Johnny (Montine) Carpenter, James Ray Carpenter; other nieces, nephews, and family members and a host of friends, neighbors, and Church family members. She was an active member of Pepperell Methodist Church, which she loved and enjoyed very much. She retired from Opelika Manufacturing Textile plant after many years of service. She was a licensed beautician. She was a good neighbor and participated in all activities at Timothy Manor, where she had resided for the last seven years. She never had any children of her own, but enjoyed watching all of her nieces and nephews growing up on both sides of the family. She always put God first and others before herself. Flowers will be accepted or donations made to Hospice Advantage, 665 Opelika Road Suite 200 Auburn, AL 36830. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 12 noon until 1:30 pm in the Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Parlor.