Carolyn Phillips (Keen) Guy

Carolyn Phillips Keen Guy went to be with her Lord on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the age of 100.  Carolyn was a wonderful and courageous wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who most valued her family and her religion.  Carolyn was a lifelong Episcopalian.  She was born September 15, 1923, in Macon, Georgia, to Belle Phillips Keen and Paul Keen.  Her mother left a lasting impression on her, although she died in 1934 during the height of the Depression, when Carolyn was only 12 years old.  From that young age Carolyn was raised by her grandmother, Caroline Tharin Phillips, with help from her aunts Edna (Beauty) Macon, Mildred (Dumpsey) Parker, and Helen Connor.  She spent most of her early years in Brunswick and Savannah, Georgia, graduating from Savannah High School in 1940.
In 1944 Carolyn married the love of her life, James (Jim) Guy, Sr.  They had an inspirational marriage that lasted 64 memorable years. Shortly after their marriage, Carolyn traveled alone by train across the entire United States to be with Jim, who was stationed with the Marine Corps in California. It was no small feat for someone who had never been outside the state of Georgia. Jim and Carolyn had two sons, Jim, Jr. and Prestley.  In 1956 she again traveled by train with her two sons to see her husband in the Railroad Hospital in Rocky Mount, NC., after he suffered a major injury on the job.  She was truly dedicated to Jim and their marriage.
One of her favorite pastimes was to feed the ducks at the pond at Mill Ridge.  Carolyn loved all animals, especially the dogs that spanned her adult life:  Spot, Fritz, Bismarck, Babe, and Foxy.  They were family and they were loved.  Her Grandsons Paul and Andrew have vivid memories of their summer visits to the mountains of North Carolina, swimming, exploring, picking blackberries, enjoying her cooking and baking, and just spending quality time with their Grandma and Papa.
There were many friends, church members, and great in-home health aides who helped Carolyn care for Jim at home for 15 years after his stroke in 1993.  These included Bob Goddard, Jane Howe, and Harold Stoeffel.   Carolyn received wonderful care from her son and daughter-in-law, Pres and Kathi, who moved to be near her.  In her last years she received excellent care from Life Care Center of Banner Elk, where she was their oldest resident.
Carolyn is survived by her two sons, Jim (Linda) Guy and Prestley (Kathi) Guy; grandsons Paul Guy and Andrew (Sarah) Guy; three great-granddaughters (Sophie, Charlotte, and Arleigh); one great-grandson, Hudson; and a special second-cousin, Carolyn Haynes.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Carolyn at a later time.  She will rest in peace with her husband Jim at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.  To honor her special kindness to all animals, memorial donations may be given to the Watauga Humane Society, 312 Paws Way, Boone, NC, 28607, 828-264-7865.
Online condolences may be shared with the Guy family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Guy family.

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