She was born on July , 1931, in the Village of Malesus, Tennessee, to Cloyad H. Phillips and Bonnie Gunter Phillips, and grew up in Bemis, Tennessee.
Carol Jean graduated from J.B. Young High School in Bemis, TN. She went on to work at Central Service before building a long and respected career as a Realtor®, serving families in the Jackson community for 33 years. During her time in real estate, she partnered with colleagues to open her own company, Jackson Realtors, and also worked as a sales representative for Luzier's for over 75 years. She is also a 50 year member of The Order of The Eastern Star. Above all else, Carol held a deep and unconditional love for her family — a love that showed itself for decades as she surrounded herself with the people she loved, always kept her home open for everyone, and was ever willing to be there for those she cared about. She deeply loved her mother, father, sisters, and brothers, and cherished every moment spent with them over the years. At the center of her heart were her son, Guy Phillip Kirby, and her daughter, Lisa Carol Maness — her love and concern for her children remained unwavering until the end.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eulus Kirby; her parents, Cloyad and Bonnie Phillips; her sisters, Claudia Joy Scott and Bonnie Faye Walker; her brothers, Carey Lynn Phillips and James “Sonny” Wallace Phillips; and her great-granddaughter, Gabriella Dawn Haynes.
Carol is survived by her sister, Jo Anne DeSpain; her daughter, Lisa Carol Maness; and her son, Guy Phillip Kirby (Barbara). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Josh Maness (Misty), LeEmma Jo Haynes (Matt), and Christopher Kirby; her great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, Trysten Maness, Riley Maness, Dawson Matthews, Maggie Matthews, Drew Matthews, Caleb Spain, Kirby Rose Lovelace, Solana Lee Maness, Phillip Matthew Haynes Jr., and Savannah Christine Star Haynes; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends; and her beloved puppy of 17 years, Oreo.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, with a funeral service to follow the same day from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and aides of Medical Center Home Health and Gentiva, and to Joan Walloch, for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Ms. Carol Jean.
Flowers may be sent to George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1544 South Highland, Jackson, TN 38301.
