Samuel Allen Phelps

SILVER SPRING - Samuel Allen Phelps, 70, passed away Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.

Samuel was born June 17, 1937, in a small farming community of Washington County, N.C., son of the late Elenora Phelps.

He attended the public school in Creswell, N.C., and at age 12 he joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Early childhood experiences and the knowledge he had gained from family and values taught him that one must always move onward and upward.

In July 1955, at age 18, he enlisted into active service with the U.S. Navy. After completion of military service, he returned to Creswell, N.C., for a short while, then to Washington, D.C., and finally to Cambridge.

During the 1960s, while in Washington, he enrolled in Prince George"s Community College School of Nursing. After graduation, he continued his study at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). He joined the nursing staff at the Department of Mental Health at Washington Adventist Hospital as a psych/counselor for 30-plus years.

He is survived by two brothers, William Phelps and wife, Jerolyn, of Washington, and James M. Phelps of Creswell,; two brothers from the Fenner family, John and Mose; three sisters, Erla, Ester and Amy; several nieces, nephews and great-nephews, including a very special nephew, Wordell Lamberson and wife, Connie of Landover; five special first cousins, James R. Phelps of New Carrollton, L.J. Phelps of Newark, N.J., Sylvester Phelps and wife, Mary P., of Hyattsville, Sue M. Horton of Silver Spring and William H. Phelps of Creswell; and other cousins, nephews and friends, including Charles Anderson,of Cambridge, a longtime friend and confidant.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, with the Rev. Alan Gould officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The Henry Funeral Home, PA is conducting the final arrangements.