Beverly Charlene "Phelps" Alderman, age 69 of Tarboro passed away on March 15, 2026.

A Celebration of Beverly's life will be held Friday, March 20, 2026 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Carlisle Funeral Home, with burial immediately following at St. Michael's Episcopal Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Carlisle Funeral Home from 6 Pm until 8 Pm.

Beverly was a wonderful and beautiful person. Daughter of the late James Bynum (Sgt JB) and Verlie Phelps from Tarboro and older sister of Melody Phelps Davis (Bob Davis). Beverly married her 8th grade boyfriend who became her best friend in life. Just as Beverly stood by him throughout his military career, Steve stood by her during her illness. Beverly brought two children into the world, Chris Alderman, 1982 and James Alderman, 1989. Chris is married to Heather and their children are Savanna and Chloe. James is married to Megan and their children are Sydney and Lily. Those girls all love their Nana Bear. 

She graduated from Tarboro High School in 1974 with National Honor Society credentials and in 1978 from East Carolina University, Cum Laude, with her teaching degree in Early Childhood Education. She and Steve married just a few days after her graduation and she began her teaching career. She taught for 30 years, following her husband, Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Steve Alderman from base to base and state to state. Beverly was a truly gifted and highly sought after teacher. She taught in NC for 8 years, following Steve to Florida for 4 years. They returned to NC for 4 years, and she again followed Steve to Alabama for 4 years. Beverly loved teaching in each state. In 2000, Beverly told her husband, “I’ve been following you around for 23 years, it’s time I have some say as to where we go to next. I want to go home”. They returned to Tarboro and she was immediately hired to teach at G W Carver in Pinetops. In just a few years she was asked to evaluate each early childhood classroom in Edgecombe County where she helped teachers to better teach and understand their students. Beverly spent thirty years devoting her life to education by teaching children and training fellow teachers of PreK classes and daycares. After retirement, Beverly spent time traveling with her husband and enjoyed going to Nags Head with her sister Melody. She loved time with her family and especially being Nana to her 4 beautiful grandbabies.