Jack Carter Phillips

Jack Carter Phillips

The Rev. Dr. Jack Carter Phillips, age 91, of Brentwood, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026. He was born on January 27, 1935, in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Edward Phillips and Marie Carter Phillips; his brother, Capt. Howard E. “Toady” Phillips II; and his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Juanita Fordham Phillips.

He is survived by his daughter, Annette Mathis, and her husband, Bill Mathis, of Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. He also leaves behind two cherished granddaughters, Susan Marie Hudson (Cody) and Kelly Elizabeth Mathis, who brought him immeasurable joy.

Jack was raised in Scottsboro, Alabama, where he graduated from Jackson County High School. He served as captain of the varsity football team and was selected for Boys State while also participating in the State Oratorical Program.

He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Following his military service, he earned degrees from Birmingham–Southern College and Vanderbilt Divinity School and was later awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from Union College in Kentucky.

Jack began his career in pastoral ministry, serving churches in Alabama, Tennessee, and California through the United Methodist Church. His distinguished 40-year career in higher education and church leadership included service at Birmingham–Southern College, Florida Southern College, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Marshall University, and as president of the National Methodist Foundation for Higher Education.

In December 1982, Jack was elected the 14th president of Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. He and Juanita faithfully served the college from 1983 until their retirement in 1996, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership, faith, and dedication to Christian higher education.

Following retirement, they made their home at Keowee Key in South Carolina before returning to the Nashville area in 2002.

Jack was an active Rotarian, a member of the American Legion, and a dedicated fundraiser for the Bach Festival in Carmel, California, during the 1970s. Although he often joked that he was not a very good golfer, he took great pride in having played both Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. He was also a member of Richland Country Club in Nashville and Pickens Country Club in South Carolina.

Among Jack’s greatest joys were his deep devotion to Juanita, his daughter, and his granddaughters. He also had a lifelong passion for American history. As a member of the Tishomingo Historical Society, he donated treasured family artifacts, including his great-great-grandfather’s Revolutionary War rifle and his great-grandfather’s Civil War rifle, carried while serving with General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Jack will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his commitment to Christian education, his love of family, his service to his country, and the countless lives he touched through his ministry, leadership, and friendship.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Brenthaven Church, 516 Franklin Road, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to:

• The Jack & Juanita Phillips Endowed Scholarship at Union Commonwealth University, 310 College Street, Barbourville, KY 40906.
• The Building Fund at Brenthaven Church, 516 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027