The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Beverly "Betty" Ann McGuire Phelps, 81, of Miles City, Montana - On March 18th, 2017 the Lord took Betty home after a courageous battle with cancer. Betty passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Montana with her sister Ione and nieces Kay, Cheryl, Susie, and nephew Wade Bell by her side.

Betty was born at the family home on May 25, 1935 to William "Bill" McGuire and MaryAnn Turcotte near Hays, Montana. Sister Ione remembers peering through the cracks in the walls and watching her little sister come into the world. Betty's early childhood years were spent on the McGuire family ranch near Cleveland, Montana. After spending time in Texas with her father, Bill McGuire, who was a world champion bulldogger, Betty returned to Ronan, Montana and graduated from Ronan High School in 1954. Betty is a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Belknap Montana and the Little Shell Band of Chippewa Tribe.

Betty was a co-owner of the Trails Inn in Miles City for several years until she married Albert Phelps in March, 1973 and moved to the ranch west of Wibaux. Betty and her husband, Albert raised cattle and horses on the ranch and were actively involved in the sport of horse racing, traveling throughout Montana and Canada. In 1987 Betty and Albert retired to Miles City, where Betty finished getting her beautician license and owned and operated the Cut & Curl Salon until she retired in 2013. Betty was an avid bowler and bowled on leagues in Miles City for many years and went to several tournaments with Kathy Benjamin, Shanna Walker and Thelma Manning.

Betty is survived by her sister Ione Bell of Fort Belknap, a brother, Mike McGuire of Oklahoma City, three sons, Steve Murphy and Kyle Schumacher of Miles City and Mike Murphy of Boise. Also surviving Betty are 18 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Betty in death are her husband Albert Lloyd Phelps, her parents, a brother Bill McGuire, and a granddaughter Shari Schumacher Solari.

Funeral mass was held on Saturday March 25th at Saint Paul's Mission in Hays, Montana at 11:00 am. At Betty's request a Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW in Miles City on Saturday April 8th at 4 pm.

The family is requesting that memorials in Betty's name be sent to the charity of one's choice.

Ione Bell's family would like to thank granddaughter Candi for the special care and love she showed Betty, especially during her last days. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting smithfuneralchapels.com.

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