Carol Phillips Brown

Carol Phillips Brown, of Oakland, Florida, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following a brief illness. Born to Haynes and Carolyn Phillips, Carol grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she formed the values of faith, family, and service that guided her throughout her life.

Carol graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and later attended East Tennessee State University. Upon moving to Florida, she became a beloved substitute teacher at First Baptist Church School in Winter Garden, where she was deeply respected by colleagues and cherished by her students. Carol also worked alongside her husband, Steve, in their family business and generously volunteered at the local school and in the community—always offering kindness, encouragement, and support.

Strong in her Christian faith, Carol lived a life centered on love, compassion, and devotion to family. She found joy in working in her yard, swimming, exercising, and teaching. A proud and passionate Atlanta Braves fan, Carol never missed a chance to cheer them on. But above all else, her greatest happiness came from spending time with those she loved and supporting her family in every way possible.

Carol is survived by her husband of 44 years, Steve Brown; her daughter, Ashley Weseman, and husband, William; and her treasured grandson, Andrew, who brought immense joy to her life. She is also survived by her mother, Carolyn Phillips, of Kingsport; four sisters—Denise Wilburn (Bill) of Oak Ridge, Jan Allen of Jonesborough, Missy Graves (Anthony) of Kingsport, and Anna Lisa Phillips (Steve Hanson) of Edmond, Oklahoma; two brothers—Kelly Phillips (Alicia) of Johnson City and Scott Metoyer (Markus) of Jonesborough; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Haynes Phillips, of Kingsport.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Dr. J. Edward Clevinger officiating. A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to the Child Advocacy Center, PO Box 13454, Gainesville, FL 32604 or at www.childadvocacycentergainesville.org