Obituary of Carolyn Sue Phillips

Carolyn Phillips passed away following an extended illness at the age of 74 on April 13, 2023. She was born on October 14, 1948, to Fred M. and Rebecca “Ching” Gauntt. Carolyn Sue Gauntt was raised on the family farm in Eastaboga, Alabama. She was a member of Craig Memorial United Methodist Church and enjoyed summers at Camp Sumatanga on Chandler Mountain. In 1968, she graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Jacksonville State University. She later earned an associate degree from Gadsden State Community College and became an alumni of the University of Alabama. Carolyn’s career spanned most of a lifetime and several vocations. She worked as an accountant at Regional Medical Center in Anniston and managed their credit union for several years. Her second career covered a decade at Anniston Army Depot as a purchasing agent. She then became a stay-at-home Mom until her daughter, Michelle, went away to college at Auburn University. Carolyn then exchanged the empty nest for her true calling. In 1996, she became the Community Coordinator for the Alabama Emmaus Walk. Over the next 23 years, she assisted in team formation and arranged for thousands of people to attend the Emmaus Walk at Camp Sumatanga Retreat Center. She developed relationships with pastors, ministers and laity across North Alabama in the planning, training and execution of these incomparable spiritual retreats. She leaves a legacy of almost 20,000 kindred souls who share this bond of spiritual renewal and friendship. It was also her cherished privilege and work of love to participate in mission trips from Talladega to Honduras. Carolyn enjoyed a lengthy association with the Jemison-Carnegie Heritage Hall Museum as President of Docents. Service to the museum was especially meaningful in honor of her great-grandmother Rebecca Jemison. A special delight was assisting with and attending the annual Mardi Gras Gala in benefit of the Ritz Theater. Carolyn loved history and was a member an officer of the Argus Study Club. Carolyn supported numerous charities, including several mainline service organizations with a special favor for veterans’ causes. She supported churches and agencies including Heritage Hall, Ritz Theater, Samaritan House, Red Door Kitchen and Palmer Place (Talladega County Child Advocacy Center). She loved shopping for disadvantaged children during Christmas time and frequently made private donations to church programs and individuals in need. A close friend said, “Carolyn always had a smile for everyone, and was an astute and caring listener. She believed that every person she met had value.” After retirement, Carolyn and David enjoyed the company of wonderful friends in restaurants across the state, attending Alabama football games, summers at the beach and traveling. Before losing her mobility, the two enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Canada, New England, Iceland and Norway. Carolyn agreed with Mark Twain’s adage: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness.” Carolyn dearly loved her church families from Craig Memorial, Trinity and First Methodist congregations, as well as the many associates and close friends in the Emmaus Community. She loved Alejandro, the Honduran orphan who she sponsored and watched grow into a fine young man. But most of all, Carolyn loved her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Miller and Rebecca “Ching” Gauntt; aunt and uncle, Don and Sarah Gauntt; and very special cousins, Alfred and Frances Turner. Carolyn is survived by her husband, David; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Tim Irwin; grandson, Luke Irwin; granddaughter and her husband, Carrie Grace and Michael Carlson; brother, Fred Gauntt Jr.; and cousin, Becky Willis and her family. A celebration-of-life ceremony will be held at the First Methodist Church of Talladega (400 East St S, Talladega, AL 35160) on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The visitation will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the church parlor. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Interment will follow directly after the service at the Eastaboga Baptist Cemetery (107 Church Ln, Eastaboga, AL 36260). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Carolyn’s memory to the Alabama Emmaus Community or Palmer Place.