Josephine (Phelps) Peakes

July 9, 1935 ~ April 22, 2025

Josephine Peakes departed peacefully on April 22, 2025, at the age of 89 at Memorial Hospital surrounded by loving family members. She was born July 9, 1935, in Hermanville, MS. to Sharper Phelps and Delia Griffin Wilder who preceded her in death.

She relocated to South Bend, IN. at the tender age of 5. She was educated in SBCSC. She was gainfully employed in Food Services and retired from Memorial Hospital after 21 years of dedicated service.  She was a dedicated member of Broadway Christian Parish where she loved teaching Sunday School. She was an active member of the church prayer group and in addition to being a greeter. She completed numerous courses with the Lay Servant Ministries program.

She maintained a presence in the community. She was involved in several community organizations: Westside Neighborhood Assoc. She volunteered for the St. Augustine Soup Kitchen for many years; member of the Memorial Retiree Group; Christian Women United.  She was the matriarch of family history. She loved to travel and her ability to connect with others was extra ordinary and left an indelible mark on every life she touched…

She was a committed member of Memorial Health & Lifestyle and Kroc Center. She was an avid listener of Country and Western along with Religious Music. 

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughter, Sandra E. Phelps, Son, Lamar R. Peakes (Laura), and Patrick F. Peakes. Grandchildren, Bradford Phelps Jr., Jonathan Peakes, Marquez R. Peakes, and Malik S. Peakes. Great Grandchildren, Braylon J. Phelps, Jaziah Lowe, and Timothy Peakes. She leaves a Host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special lifelong friends that will truly miss and cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her father Sharper Phelps, mother Delia (Griffin) Howard, sister Enomia McDougal, brother Lemons Phelps, Son Bradford Phelps and her ex-husband Walter Peakes, Jr.

Donations can be made to St. Augustine Soup Kitchen or to Broadway Outreach Ministries.

Funeral services for Josephine will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, Broadway Christian Parish—United Methodist Church, 1412 Carroll St., South Bend. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior. Graveside burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Palmer Funeral Home – West Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

4/30/2025 djb

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Josephine-Peakes