Sharon B. Phelps (nee Bostick), 79, of Ormond Beach, FL passed away on May 7th, at Halifax Hospice Care Center surrounded by loving family and friends.

Sharon was born August 29, 1945 in Miami, FL and is predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Dora (nee Chambers) Bostick.

Sharon graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1963. Sharon participated in the Miami High Chorus, Pep Club, and Little Women Service Club where she met and cherished life long friends. She enjoyed keeping up with all the Miami High news and reunions.

Sharon married John R. Phelps on December 29, 1964 at Trinity Methodist Church. Sharon loved to say she was in an "arranged" marriage as her parents and John's parents knew each other before they were born and attended the same Methodist Church in Miami. They both are native Miamians and started dating while in High School. They had a lifelong love affair as they were married 60 years. She adored her family and spent many years focusing on building their home and raising their children. She loved animals, especially Siamese cats and Shetland sheep dogs and had many kitties over the years (with current twin Burmese cats, Chai Son and Samrudi).

Sharon was a figure skating mom to her daughter, Dawn, and an "original" soccer mom to her son, David. She handmade Dawn's skating dresses and hand beaded her dresses for competition, cheering her on rink-side and giving a shoulder to cry on when tests or competitions did not go well. Through her unwavering involvement in her son's life, she recognized the signs of a learning disability early when such diagnoses were uncommon to detect. Her dedication allowed him to receive the support he needed to thrive. From third grade to fifth grade, she devoted herself to driving him daily to private schools, ensuring he had the opportunity to flourish. She was a chauffeur extraordinaire to her children, taking them to many ice skating rinks and soccer fields in and around Atlanta, GA, where she lived for over 20 years with her family.

Traveling was a passion for Sharon as her family enjoyed many unforgettable experiences in their travels through out the world. Her travels took her to all 7 continents as well as living outside of Paris, France (Marly-le-Roi) and Stuttgart, Germany (Sindelfingen). Some of her favorite places in the world included: Cliffs of Moher; Stonehenge; the Pyramids; cruising in Antarctica; chasing hobbits in New Zealand; Notre Dame; and any beach on any ocean, especially her beloved sandy beaches in FL on the Atlantic Ocean. Her Christmas Card list was extensive both in number of recipients and places sent.

Sharon had the "gift of gab" as she never met a stranger and loved sharing stories of her family and of her travels. Her daughter says her mom got the "gift of gab" from kissing the Blarney Stone! Sharon was an avid reader and cruciverbalist. There is not a historical fiction book that she did not like, especially if it was about the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail, the English monarchy, or Egyptology. She and John enjoyed watching trivia game shows and playing online puzzles/trivia games. They often tried to outdo one another in their solves.

Sharon had a passion for cooking and gardening in which she loved to cook Southern dishes, French cuisine, or Irish Scones. Her green thumb produced many beautiful gardens in all the places she lived, with roses and orchids being her favorite flowers to care for. A highlight for Sharon was volunteering for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. You could often find Sharon cruising down A1A in her BMW with the top down, her red hair flowing in the wind, and music blaring with tunes from Neil Diamond, John Denver, U2, Elvis, and the Beatles. Her bright smile could light up any room.

Remaining to cherish Sharon's memory are her husband of 60 years, John R. Phelps; her daughter, Dr. Dawn (Eric) Phelps Doray, and her son, John David (Sherry) Phelps; and her granddaughter, Ruby Mae Phelps. After many years of searching for her birth family, she recently connected with several half-siblings and is survived by half-sisters, Becky, Donna, and Barbara, and half-brothers, Julius and James.

"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back."

"May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

Her family will be having a small service/celebration of life in the future.

In lieu of flowers, Sharon's family requests memorial contributions be made to her favorite charitable organizations including: The Carter Center, a non-profit human rights agency ( cartercenter.org ); or the Halifax Humane Society ( halifaxhumanesociety.org ).

Please feel free to sign Sharon's Guestbook below.