Jennifer Jones Phillips

Jennifer Jones Phillips died June 24 at her home in Chelsea, Al. Jenny was born on February 9, 1945, in Montgomery, Al., the second child of Howard and Sara Jones. With freckles and red hair hanging in curls down her back, she always had a beautiful voice and she loved to sing, especially with her father. Her best friend—for her entire life—was her sister, Judy.

Jenny graduated from Alabama Christian High School and attended Alabama Christian College, now Faulkner University. In 1982, she married Donny Phillips, a marriage that lasted 43 years. She lived much of her life in Montgomery, where she was a vital member of the Dalraida Church of Christ, and later in Chelsea, Al., where she was a committed member of Homewood Church of Christ in Birmingham. She loved church, cooking, interior design, jewelry—the fake stuff and the real thing—and, most of all, her family.

Throughout her life, she kept a beautiful home, which she loved to fill up with people. In her home, everyone was welcome and everyone was loved. Everyone got cake—really delicious cake. Whether she had a tableful of people or a houseful of people, she focused on the needs of every single one of them before she thought of herself.

Her grandchildren—and all children—were an endless source of joy for her. She was always quick to find any child a jar for lightning bugs or a funny hat or some noisy, whirling toy guaranteed to mess up her spotless den.

She took care of everyone, always.

Survivors include her husband, Donny; her children, Dabney Phillips (Hope), Jeremy Phillips, and Ginny Phillips Ashe (Fred); her siblings, Judy Creel (Billy) and Howard Jones, Jr.; and her grandchildren, Charlie, Vera, Solie, Flynn, Eli, and Zaiden.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, at Leak Memory Chapel. All are welcome. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., and a small graveside service will follow the chapel service.