Franklin – Murray Ashley Phelps, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 17, 2026.  Born in Creswell, NC, he was a son of the late Chelsie James "C.J." Phelps, Sr. and Martha Jane Hassell Phelps.  He was also predeceased by four sisters, Emily Davenport, Monene Spruill, Ina Calhoun, and Rita Sawyer and one brother, C. J. Phelps, Jr.

Ashley was a graduate of Creswell High School.  He was a retired insurance manager for United Insurance Co. and a former market manager for Colonial Stores with 23 years of service.

He enjoyed golf, pool, playing cards, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  Ashley was a fan of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the Washington Redskins.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Judy Thomason Phelps; his daughter, Lisha Phelps Cappellino and her husband Joe of Glen Allen; his son Michael Ashley Phelps of Franklin; and five grandchildren, Mikayla Leigh Cole, Brian Ashley Phelps, Kendall Renee Cole, Connor Nathaniel Cappellino, and Christian Ryan Cappellino.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2PM Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Wright Funeral Home with Rev. James H. Hyatt, Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home and suggests that memorial donations be made to Amy Ruth Phelps Art Scholarship, c/o Suffolk Foundation, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suite 100, Suffolk, VA 23434 or the Libby Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Henrico Education Foundation, P. O. Box 31413, Henrico, VA 23294.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of East Pavilion West for their loving care.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org