Barbara Jean Phillips

Barbara Jean Phillips, 89, of Birmingham, left us to be with her Lord on July 6, 2016.  Barbara was born February 6, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois.  Her mother died when she was six.  She was raised by her grandmother in Des Moines, Iowa.  When she was thirteen, she moved to Chicago to live with her father.  At fourteen, she met her future husband and married in 1943 at the age of sixteen. She was a longtime resident of McHenry, Illinois, Jacksonville, Alabama and Big Rock, Tennessee. Barbara had lived in Casteau, Belgium, for nine years prior to returning to Alabama in May of 2013. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Barbara faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking and baking.  She enjoyed sewing and various crafts.  She taught herself to knit, hand quilt, crochet, tat and cross stitch which resulted in many ribbons at county fairs.  In later life, she took to creative writing.  A woman of faith, she was active in her church and bible study groups. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.  Many may be surprised to learn of the extreme shyness of her youth. With a real zest for life, she loved learning new things.  She enjoyed reading, watching documentaries, keeping up with current events worldwide, playing cribbage, and chatting with family, friends and strangers.  She was a life long tourist, traveling extensively in the US, Europe, Africa and Asia. Barbara is survived by her son, Russell Jr. (Nancy); her daughter, Jean Phillips Braddock; her grandsons, Thomas Braddock and Andrew and Daniel Phillips; her granddaughters, Kaitlin, Samantha, Maggie and Abbie Phillips; and her great-grandchildren, Sieanna Shoup and Joshua Braddock. Barbara  was preceded in death by her husband, of 70 years, Russell, her parents, Ivan and Bernice Crowe, step mother June Crowe and step brother Kenneth  Crowe. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many well loved people to name individually. Barbara’s contagious smile, laughter, entertaining wit and shared wisdom will be greatly missed.