2025

Obituary of SSG Richard Lee Phelps

Fort Jackson – A service to celebrate the life of SSG Richard Lee Phelps, 38, will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Kings Mountain Chapel, 3359 Jackson Blvd, Columbia SC 29209.

SSG Phelps passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Prisma Health Richland.  Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., he was the son of Robert Wayne Phelps and Diana Lynn McDeavitt Phelps.  He was an active duty Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson where he has been stationed since 2023. 

SSG Phelps loved surfing the wave of life through the outdoors, loving animals, family, music and helping all in life, and would light up smiles along the way. A true leader, a giant heart, a contagious smile, and a musical soul that will stay with all, a true patriot to life.

Surviving are his wife, Bridget Virginia Phelps; parents Robert Phelps and Diana Phelps Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; brother, Robert James Phelps (Lauren) of Stuart, Fla.; sister, Bethany Rose Phelps of Boca Raton, Fla.; and step-son, Maxwell Filipe of West Palm Beach, Fla.