Aleta J. Phelps, 74, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, IL surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on March 10, 1952, in Sparta, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Howard and Lura V. (Lowhorn) Rayborn. She married James Edward Phelps on August 6, 1984 at the Church of Christ in Mt. Carmel, IL.
Aleta worked as a caregiver and attended the Mt. Carmel Church of Christ. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She was a great grandmother, and family was always very important to Aleta. She also loved playing bingo and going to yard sales.
Aleta is survived by her children, Timothy (Kristi) Burton of Princeton, IN, Michael (Shelly) Burton of Mt. Carmel, IL, Deanna Woods of Mt. Carmel, IL, Cynthia (Mike Lagow) Phelps of Mt. Carmel, IL, Stephanie (William) Umfleet of Mt. Carmel, IL; 16 grandchildren, Tyler Phelps, William Umfleet, Natasha Groff, Chassie Umfleet, Alyssa Perry, Cheyenne Pierce, Telisha Ridgley, Robert Ridgley, Nathan Woods, Michael Burton, Erica Burton, Timia Butler, Zack Burton, Triston Phelps, Bryson Phelps, and Dayton Brimm, as well as 39 great-grandchildren; brother, Dody (Vickie) Rayborn of Bellmont, IL, her special niece and caregiver, Angie Kolb; and special caregiver and bonus daughter, Lisa Price, and her two caregivers, Melinda John and Terri Brown.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Lura; her husband of 41 years, James; her daughter, Jennifer Phelps; brothers, Delmar Rayborn, Danny Rayborn, David Rayborn, Johnny Rayborn; sisters, Mildred Cowling, Kathy Whitten, Dean Willis, Frances Wood, Margaret Stiles, and Melba Bray, and son-in-law, Jason Woods.
Visitation for Aleta will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the service at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Aleta can be made to help with funeral expenses. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com.
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Phelps family.
