Phillip "Phil" Edward Carnell

Phillip “Phil” Edward Carnell was promoted to his eternal home on Sunday, November 13, 2022 while deer hunting. Phil always said he wanted to die in the woods hunting, and he did. The song “I Did It My Way,” seems apropos here.

Phil was born April 30, 1964 to Kenneth and Shirley Carnell. Phillip lived the majority of his life in Sikeston, Missouri.

On April 20, 1985 he married the love of his life, Mary Jane Collins. To that union was born James Aaron and Amanda Nichole.

He was always envious when his older siblings had grand babies and he didn’t. Finally, the grand babies started coming and “Poppy” couldn’t have been any happier. Mavis, Collin, Phillip Reed and Maddie were the joy of his life.

Phil made his mark in baseball early on as pitcher with a wicked fast ball. As age started creeping up on him he continued the love of the game through softball. During one game, Phil was playing left field and a base runner thought he could easily make it home when a line drive was hit out to left field. Phil snagged the ball on one bounce and threw the guy out by a long shot. Phil was known by many friends and loved ones as a consummate encourager with a larger-than-life personality and smile. He never knew a stranger and took an authentic interest in each person he spoke to.

Phil was also an avid hunter. We often thought Deer hunting season was his favorite holiday.

Phil is preceded in death by his grandparents, Arvil and Katie Carnell and Odes and Iva Floyd.

He is survived by his wife, Mary of Sikeston; son, Aaron and wife Jamie of Sikeston and daughter, Amanda and husband Jason of Spring Hill, TN. He will be dearly missed by his four grandchildren. Mavis, Maddie, Collin, Phillip, “Poppy loves you!” He is also survived by his parents, Ken and Shirley Carnell; sister, Thresa Carnell Lawson, husband Vance; brothers, David and wife Jenny, James and wife Ginger. A host of nephews and nieces who remain, will also sorely miss “Uncle Phil.”

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, MO. where funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Matt Brooks and Bishop Ken Carnell, officiating.

Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, MO.

Pallbearers will be Craig Cooper, Tom Webb, Tim Williams, Randy Western, Bobby Lowe and Roger McMahan.

Honorary pallbearer will be Thomas Wilson.

Food and gathering afterwards will be at Miner Baptist Church in Miner, MO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Carnell family.