Azzie Lee Phelps

Azzie Lee "Marie" Phelps, 88, of San Antonio passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 4, 2019.  Family and friends will gather for visitation at the Mount Zion First Baptist Church of San Antonio on Monday, September 16th, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A Home Going Celebration will be conducted at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 17th at 11:00 AM with ther Reverend Otis L Mitchell presiding.  Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

On November 3, 1930, in the small town of Drewry, Alabama, Pellis Stallworth and Rosa Lee Autrey were blessed with their first child, being delivered by a midwife; this beautiful little girl was named Azzie Lee Marie Stallworth.  She was raised with a strong Christian foundation often commenting that they were in church from sun up to sun down. She talked about working in the cotton fields as a young girl. When she later moved to Pensacola Florida, she completed her high school education graduating on June 4, 1951 from Booker T. Washington High School.  One of her most outstanding achievements came when she earned an Associate Degree in Child Development from San Antonio College in May 1980.

Marie’s exciting highlights of her journey included the friendship and marriage to a soldier, Abraham A. Poe on December 13, 1951 and this union was blessed with a son, Anthony, who was born in Germany.

On May 26, 1962, Marie was united in Holy Matrimony to Clifton Odell Phelps, Jr.  The couple was active duty in the United States Air Force traveling through the states and overseas.  After two years, they were blessed with a little girl, named Angela, who was born in San Antonio, Texas. Marie loved traveling, meeting people, and BOWLING in the states and around the world. The family took a tour to Japan and there Marie gave birth to another girl, who they named Arlene. Upon returning to the states, they were stationed in San Antonio, where the family planted roots and the children were in public schools. Marie made the choice to remain in San Antonio for the children when her husband was scheduled for a tour in Athens, Greece. In June of 1970, two soldiers came to their home, and Marie’s life was turned upside down as they told her about the passing of her husband.

Marie settled into her new role as single parent, built a foundation in San Antonio and developed a relationship with Christ, joining Mount Zion First Baptist Church on August 11, 1974 under the leadership of Reverend C. W. Black. She was a faithful member, serving on the Usher Board, in Mission I, and as a Greeter (Courtesy Committee). Marie stayed active raising her children and enjoying many community activities. She was a lifelong bowler of the National Bowling Association, a proud member of the IOTA Phi Lambda, Gamma Phi Chapter of San Antonio, Tx, a songstress in the St. Phillips College Choir, and a smack-talking card player in the San Antonio Pinochle Club.  Marie made good use of her degree, retiring from San Antonio Independent School District after thirty years as a substitute teacher.  Marie’s journey was strong and steady; this God-fearing woman loved her children and family and developed a large circle of friends.  She was a fun-loving person, enjoyed dancing to the blues and playing bingo. Marie loved to talk, loved people, and people loved her! In her season, Marie moved to Austin to be near her children. She still enjoyed traveling, listening to ‘her’ BB King, and attending church with her daughters until her health did not allow.

The Lord took Marie home on September 4, 2019.  Marie Phelps was preceded in death by her Mother, Rosie Lee Morris, Father, Pellis Stallworth, a brother, L.C. “Joe” Autrey, a sister, Lilly Mae Stallworth, and husband, Clifton Odell Phelps, Jr., and many dear Aunts and Uncles.  Mrs. Marie was blessed with eighty-eight years and led an active and fulfilling life for this legacy she established is endless. This occasion has caused many hearts to ache and many eyes to water because of having to say goodbye to a Mother, a Grand Mother, a Sister, an Aunt, a Cousin, and a Friend - OUR   MOMMA – will be truly missed!

Marie’s legacy will be long remembered by her son, Anthony E. Poe and his husband, Justin Broce, two daughters, Angela E. and her husband, Reverend Steven Ward, and Arlene E Phelps;  one grandson, Chauncey-O’Dell J. Thompson; two granddaughters, Ashley Ward and Victoria Ward; one brother, Robert L Stallworth; one sister, Beverly Crosby; one sister-in-Law, Eva M. Peoples; two aunts, Katie Ruth White (Aunt Goodyne) and Margaret Owens (Aunt S.B.); one uncle, Willy Floyd Autrey (Uncle Bud) and four generations of nieces and nephews with a host of other relatives and friends including the Mount Zion First Baptist and Mount Moriah Church families.