Donna Rae Phelps

Funeral services for Donna Rae Phelps, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mrs. Phelps passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born October 22, 1934, in Howell County, Missouri, to Clara Collins Fox and Adam Edward Fox.  On May 22, 1955, she was married at Kansas City, Missouri, to Elmer (Bud) Phelps, who preceded her in death on September 11, 2008.  Donna was a huge part in raising her sister, Peggy, after their mother, Clara, had to obtain employment outside of the home after the death of her husband, Adam.  One of Donna’s proudest days occurred when she received her high school diploma after years of working at the Shoe Factory.  She loved making quilts and collecting dolls.  Mrs. Phelps attended Union Grove Baptist Church and enjoyed her church friends.

She is survived by two children, Michael DeMoss and wife, Carol, West Plains and Donna (Midge) Dawson and husband, Ron, West Plains; six grandchildren, Michelle Blake and husband, Bert, Warrenton, Missouri, Rusty Shipley and wife, Karen, Gassville, Arkansas, Jaime McGhee and husband, Darrell, Ethan DeMoss, all of West Plains, Earl Maynard Phelps, Carlsbad, New Mexico and Brandi DeMoss, State of Utah; seven great-grandchildren, Tristan, Tucker and Turner Blake, Myles and Alexis (Madi) McGhee, Candace Shipley and Jax DeMoss; her sister, Peggy Wright; her brother, Darrell (Bub) Kelley; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, step-father, William Earl (Pop) Kelley, her son, Buddy, two brothers, Hershel and Herlin Fox and a beloved nephew, David Lee Fox, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Union Grove Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Union Grove Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.