Una Lee Searle Clayton Phelps

I became acquainted with Una Lee back in the late 80’s when she and her husband, my cousin, Leon Phelps, came to see me for assistance with their estate planning affairs. I have had contact with her through the years, and truly came to love and respect this great lady… and she was always that… a very gracious, wonderful lady. My love and sincere condolences to all of Una Lee’s family.

Una Lee was a very special lady. From the time I met her after she married my dad, I felt a closeness to her. She always made me feel special as well as my kids and grandkids. We will miss her smile and the way her face would light up when we visited her. I’m so grateful she became a part of our life.

Una Lee was “Mom” to Leon’s kids for 30 years after they were married in the late eighties. Karen Osteen (Steve), Duke Phelps (Christine) and Janine Slater (Kevin). We can never thank Mom enough for the joy she brought to the remaining years of Leon’s life so long ago, and for being such an example and loving presence in our lives for the next 30 years. Some how she always remembered our birthdays, even though she had so many to keep track of. We would always take her out with us to celebrate special occasions like Mother’s Day and birthdays. Often times we went to The Texas Road House, but it was so noisy that she couldn’t hear (neither could I half the time!) so we switched to Red Lobster. Some times it would be Cracker Barrel restaurant where she would always order the trout. Duke and our son, Matt, would crack us up over their unending jokes and hijinks, and I will always cherish those memories. She was one of the kindest, nicest and most gracious ladies I have EVER known, and she will be greatly missed. We thank the children of Mom as well. Laurie and John invited us to stay with them at their beautiful home in Bainbridge Island near Seattle before they moved to AZ. I believe it was them that told us about Hurricane Ridge at Port Angles in WA state. So glad we went, as it was one of the most beautiful places I had seen. And Boyd’s home made chocolates, and Laurie’s quilting, are amazing. Mom had a very talented family.

I will always remember Una Lee and Brother Phelps. They will always be dear to my heart. I was a new convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and this sweet couple were so kind to me and my wife. The Phelps lived behind us to right. They always said hi to me knowing that I was still new and did not know much about the Church. When Brother Phelps was ill Pam and I visited them in the afternoon. Brother Phelps was not doing well and I truly felt I needed to give him a Blessing. Una Lee kept saying the Bishop was coming over that evening, but I could not get this prompting to go away, telling me to give him a blessing. Una Lee finally gave in to my request. Even as a new convert I knew the words came from the Lord. The blessing will always be special in my heart as Brother Phelps passed to the other side of the veil that afternoon before the Bishop got off work. I know brother Phelps greeted UnaLee as she went through the veil. I am so sorry for your loss, but she smiles down at all her loved ones now and calls them by name. May the Lord bless you and your family at this time.

My sweetest Grandma! I will cherish all of the memories I have with you. Thank you for loving so well. I am honored to be your granddaughter. Until we meet again!

Oh my dear stepmom. She will be so missed because she contributed so much to life. When she married my dad in the late 80s, I knew she had to be special to get his eye. It was so fun getting to know her and do things with her and laugh with her and cry with her. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had in this life to meet Una Lee. Although I am in Washington state and she was in Arizona, I always felt so close to her. We got to visit several times and I always look forward to being around her and see her happy and excited face and smile. Somehow the world seems A little emptier now. She left a huge space for those that knew her. I can’t wait to see her again. Her stepdaughter, Jeanine Phelps Slater

In my 68 years of knowing my mother I never heard her speak a single unkind word about someone. She lived a life of peace and kindness. I will miss her wisdom and love.

My sweet, sweet grandma. We love you so much and miss you already. Thank you for all of your unconditional love. ❤️

You and your family will surely be in our prayers and thoughts…if you need anything..pls call. Love and prayers.. Tim & Laurie Cumiford

The quote from Maya Angelou comes to mind as I think of you, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” You made people feel love, special, and important. You gave me unconditional love; you are the person I have experienced this from throughout my life. I witnessed others experience from you as well. I never had the luxury of living close to you, minus a few months during first year of college when I was 17 yrs old. Sometimes I would go years without being able to see you. You were my first long term pen pal. I remember looking forward to getting your letters as a child. I was always even more excited when we got a phone call to hear your voice. We would gather around the phone to hear and then get to have a moment to speak to you too. No matter how many years went by as a child, when I was able to see you again—you never felt like a stranger always felt like a place of love. You were always warm, pleasant, inviting, comforting, and always felt like I was safely home when I was around you. You taught me the importance of family. You taught me not to pre-judge a situation or a person. There was always more to the story or another side of a story. You taught me to find laughter and enjoy it. I remember distinctively after we finally caught our breath from laughing so hard—you telling me how good it is to get a solid good belly laugh. You taught me to find and truly enjoy the simple joys in life, whether it is having a small garden, or the best grapefruit tree, dancing the with your love or enjoying a good book or movie, whatever it was—find it and enjoy it. You taught me the importance of service and that not everything is about us and we can often learn much through service to others. To know myself and to be independent and to be in service to others. You taught me the importance of friendship. Your friendships were some of the strongest relationships you had, they were your family too and great support. You taught me the importance of education and learning. And not just the formal style of education, even though you cherished yours. One of the best memories is the stories of you telling how you paid for some of your college classes in berries. You told me one of the most amazing things you have seen change through your life was medicine. I truly hope to be a part of that continuing to better the process through my education. I know were proud of me working on my doctorate (it’s still in progress). Outside of institutional education, the importance of learning what is going on in our world and to be aware and involved. You taught me the importance taught me to learn the things I wanted to do, whether that meant learning music, how to sew, cook, garden, dance, learn history, or whatever made me enjoy my life more. Find these things and learn them and keep them in your life. I hope to always continue to learn and find joy. You taught me about love, not just as a grandmother who loves her grandchild. You also shared about the loves in your life and I learned of the heartache from love lost. Love is powerful and it is not always easy, but there is nothing like it. You taught me love is always worth it. You taught me about the love of being a mother too and the joys and pain that come along with motherhood. While you always made each of us feel special and loved one hope I always have had and will continue to have is that you are able to feel the love we have for you. I am honored to be able to have so many amazing memories to cherish that fill me with joy. And yes, there is pain as we step through these next steps learning how to do things without you physically here, but there is the joy of having you with us in our hearts and minds and knowing we can be together again.