November 17, 1953 – January 6, 2025

Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Boyd Phelps, born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 17, 1953, passed away peacefully in her home on January 6, 2025, after a long and fearless battle with bile duct cancer. She was 71 years old.

Becky was preceded in death by her loving husband, William "Bill" Phelps; her parents, Ernestine and Arthur Boyd; and her siblings, Deborah Catherine Boyd and Mark Vincent Boyd. She leaves behind her three beloved daughters, Catherine, Mary, and Dana, as well as her siblings, John Christopher Boyd and Arthur Richard Boyd. Becky is also survived by her grandchildren Alex, Alyssa, Ryan, Jackson, and Dylan; her sisters-in-law, niece and nephew, and their children; and her best friend until the very end, Irene Walker Wright. Becky's life was filled with love, creativity, and the warmth of family and friends, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We cannot forget the fur babies she adored so much, who were always by her side, and in all our ears barking.

As a mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and friend, Becky was the heart of any gathering, and her impact will be remembered in the lives she touched. Writing this obituary brings a smile as we reflect on the full and vibrant life she led. Becky was a true artist at heart—her hands never stopped creating, whether it was with paints, pencils, beads, candles, fabric, or jewelry. There was nothing she couldn't turn into art. Whether you remember weekends spent at her Midtown home, days at her Cordova pool, all gatherings filled with music, food, games, and of course Bud Light, you surely recall the warmth and creativity that radiated from her.

Becky loved the water and the sun. Many of her fondest memories were made on vacation with her husband Bill, where she could be found sitting on the beach for hours, soaking in the sound of the waves and the rhythm of her music that was always playing. Even while there, she found inspiration to create—using shells, seaweed, and sand to make her own beachside artwork. Her love for the beach was a reflection of her spirit—free, creative, and full of life.

Becky was also a fierce competitor with an incredible mind. She could rattle off answers to trivia questions like no one else and was a true connoisseur of classic black and white films, always knowing the details of every scene. Whether in a game of trivia or a simple conversation, her sharp wit and quick memory were legendary.

Becky's legacy of creativity, joy, and resilience will live on through her daughters, grandchildren, family, and friends. She leaves behind a world that is a little less colorful without her, but the memory of her strength, laughter, and art will continue to shine brightly.

A celebration of Becky's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice in her memory.

Rest in peace, Momma, Maw Maw, Grandma Arkansas, friend. You were truly one of a kind. We will see you in the stars, feel you in the breeze and love you to the moon and back.