James Wayne Phelps

James Wayne Phelps of Mooreville passed away December 29, 2025, at the age of 92. Services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Mooreville Methodist Church at 11:00 AM; visitation will begin prior to the service at 10:00 AM.

He was born on November 8, 1933, in Falls County to Bernhard and Lovie Crosby Phelps. He was reared in the Dot and Chilton areas. He married Katherine Ann Jones on March 18, 1960. They had two sons, James Mark and David Winston. Their home was always in Mooreville. 

Wayne grew up with little opportunity and dropped out of school at an early age to farm with his dad. However, this did not discourage him from growing the farming and ranching operation he desired. Through the help of a Farmers Home Administration loan in 1961, he was able to extend his farming operation to 645 acres, two tractors with equipment and other needed farm machinery, thirty-six cows, fifty-two heifers, thirty-eight calves, and a purebred bull. He continued to lease land and expanded into a stocker cattle operation. 

He was baptized as a Baptist in a stock tank. December 20, 1958, he joined Mooreville Methodist where his great-grandparents were Charter Members. Wayne’s life revolved around his faith, family, and farming. 

As a farmer and rancher his work mostly involved cattle, horses, and row crop farming. He instilled a love for livestock and ranching in his children and grandchildren because it always involved family and still does. The example set by Wayne was evident in how the boys’ play always imitated their daddy’s work. The boys had their own horses at the age of three. Wayne had the skills of a “typical” cowboy – riding, roping, working livestock, fence building and repair. His mechanical skills allowed him to repair most farm equipment and machinery. He also exhibited endurance, physical strength, and self-reliance. He believed in not working on Sunday and did so only in emergency situations. 

Wayne was a quiet person but always took responsibilities and leadership roles in his community and church. Wayne took pride in preparing for the annual Mooreville BBQ each July which included countless hours starting the fire at 5:00 AM and ending with his cooking among friends and fellow church members on the morning of the BBQ. He will be remembered as serving over forty years as President of Mooreville Water Supply Corporation. He served on several Falls County Agricultural Committees and served on the Chilton ISD School Board. Wayne was chairman of several church committees and was President of the Mooreville Cemetery Association. 

He was always willing to help anyone he could and often did good deeds about which no one knew. He was a dedicated father taking Mark to church every Sunday for ten consecutive years after he returned home following his accident. He was always the first to help David plant his crops, pen and work cattle, and catch wild cows. All the children in the family loved their Pappy, and he loved them endlessly in return.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Alvin and Annie Bell Phelps, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Winston and Shirley Jones. 

He is survived by his wife Ann of sixty-five years; two sons, Mark and David and wife Shelly; his three grandchildren, Casey Ann Phelps and Dustin Kahanek, Britney Lynn Cheyne and husband Dennis, Dustin Wayne Phelps and wife Courtney; eight great grandchildren, Cailynn, Denton, Dustin Wesley, Tripp, Lesley, Zayden, Weston, and Gracey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Carroll Huber; nieces and nephews, Barbara Robinson, Brenda Pick, Randy Phelps, James Jones, and Matthew Huber; plus many other nieces, nephews, and cousins in his extended family.

The family expresses thanks and appreciation to Mercy House and Interim Hospice for his recent care. If desired, memorials may be made to Mooreville Cemetery Association or Mooreville Methodist Church.