(1941-2025)

Sister Jamie Phelps, baptized Jamie Theresa Phelps and formerly known as Sister Martin Thomas, died on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 84 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Jamie was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Alfred and Emma (Brown) Phelps. She graduated from Josephinum High School (Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart) in Chicago and obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a master’s degree in social work with a focus on group sequence from the University of Illinois in Chicago; a master’s degree in theology from St. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota; and a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. 

Sister Jamie ministered 27 years in education in Chicago and Harvey, Illinois, and Notre Dame, Indiana, including 12 years as a theology instructor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, two years as a visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, and five years as a visiting professor of theology at Loyola University in Chicago. She ministered as a psychiatric social worker for seven years in Chicago: two years at Mercy Hospital and five years at Chicago Child Care Society.

Sister was a founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and the founding director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at CTU. She also served eight years as the director of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She spent one year doing theological research and writing in Chicago and more than a decade as a theology consultant and theologian, first in Chicago, then in Adrian. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2019.

Sister Jamie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William Brown and Julius Phelps, and sisters Marionette Phelps and Alfreda Phelps-Bowles. She is survived by her brother Alfred Phelps Jr., other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Jamie's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Jamie's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Jamie Phelps speaks after receiving an honorary doctorate from Aquinas Institute of Theology, a Dominican graduate school in St. Louis. (Photo by Dave Moore, http://ww.davemoorephotography.com) RIGHT: Sister Jamie Phelps gives the 2023 commencement address at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans. (Photo by Irving Johnson III)

LEFT: Celebrating the Final Profession of Sister Shawn Copeland in 1977 are, from left: Sisters Jamie Phelps, Shawn Copeland, Rosemary Ferguson, Maria del Rey Plain, and Cheryl Delahoussaye. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Jamie Phelps, Genevieve Jeziolkowski, and Carleen Maly. RIGHT: From left, Dr. Vanessa White, Sister Jamie Phelps, and Dr. Shawn Copeland.

Members of the 2010 Golden Jubilee “Holy Angels” Crowd are, back row, from left, Sisters Kathleen Walli, Kathleen Voss, Mary Katherine Drouin, Molly Giller, Helene Kloss, and Monica Charles Stankus, and front row, from left, Sisters Marie Carleen Maly, Annice Mordenski, Jamie Phelps, Mary Ann Dixon, Maurine Barzantni, Mary Carr, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

Sister Jamie Phelps (front row, in the blue jacket and skirt) joins with other members of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium during an annual meeting at St. Norbert College.

Adrian Dominican theologians, circa 1993, are: back row, from left, Sisters Donna Kustusch, Maribeth Howell, Sarah Sharkey, Mary Louise Putrow, Nadine Foley, and Patricia Benson; and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Tardiff, Joanne (Jodie) Screes, Patricia Walter, Jamie Phelps, and Anele Heiges.

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