Celebration of life for Donnell Phelps draws large crowd at FVSU

Hundreds filled the Pettigrew Center Auditorium at Fort Valley State University on Wednesday to celebrate the life of slain freshman Donnell Phelps.

Phelps, 19, an agricultural technology major, was fatally stabbed last week when he came to the aid of three young woman who were allegedly being groped by a 25-year-old man as they were leaving the campus cafeteria.

Joseph Anthony Scott, a former FVSU student who lives near the campus, is charged with murder in Phelps’ death. Scott shouted that he’s not a killer during his first court hearing last week.

Prayers at the start of the service were not only for Phelps’ family but also for Scott and his family. Scripture from Revelation 21 about heaven was read at the service.

Phelps’ large family filled the middle of three sections of the auditorium, which is capable of seating 600. Family members earlier filled the police-escorted procession from Marshallville to FVSU.

Phelps’ uncle Charles McGhee told those assembled that the family was not surprised by Phelps’ selfless act, coming to the rescue of others. Most people would have looked the other way, minded their own business, but not his nephew.

“His heart was so pure that he didn’t see the danger,” McGhee said.

He noted that Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal heralded Phelps, a 2015 graduate of Macon County High School, a hero and ordered flags flown at half-staff last Friday.

McGhee encouraged young men to take a stand and take back their communities.

Charles Ivey, who taught Phelps at Macon County High, noted that “he wasn’t just a hero that day, but every day.”

A proclamation read by Josephine Davis, the FVSU Faculty Senate president, lauded Phelps’ loving spirit and service to the campus community. Phelps served in many ways, from the pep squad to the Wesley Foundation. He even volunteered to help paint the university’s racquetball court.

The proclamation also declared May 11 as Donnell Phelps Memorial Day, which brought those in the audience to their feet.

Phelps’ brother Donald Walters talked about how he and his brothers, whom he said are more information technology and security minded, supported Phelps’ decision to major in agriculture.

But they told him, “We ain’t about to milk no cow.” The remark brought laughter from the crowd.

Walters said he and his brothers were proud of Phelps and the man he had become.

Willie Foster, FVSU tennis coach, described Phelps as a “gift from God” who always had a smile. Phelps managed the tennis team.

“When you saw him, he lifted you up,” Foster said.

Earlier Wednesday, a hearse carrying Phelps’ body was escorted from the Bentley Montford Mortuary in Butler to FVSU by campus, city and Peach County law enforcement officers.

John Bennett, a Wildcats booster club supporter, was among the first to arrive on campus Wednesday for the public viewing.

He parked his car in the shade of a large tree outside the auditorium and stood to honor Phelps as the hearse arrived near the main FVSU entrance. The hearse passed by the white booth where campus security officer Ernest Johnson was allegedly stabbed by Scott in a related attack last week. Johnson survived the attack and is recovering.

“I heard about it, and I just wanted to pay my respects,” said Bennett, a Fort Valley resident, who retired from Robins Air Force Base as a civilian employee and earlier as chief warrant officer for the Army.

Burial followed at Colonel Felton Memorial Cemetery in Marshallville.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Celebration of life for Donnell Phelps draws large crowd at FVSU."