Obituaries

Carol Louise Blackburn (Phillips), 83, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026.

Born on January 28, 1943, Carol was the beloved daughter of Garnett Phillips and Pansy Louise (Davenport).

Carol’s life was a testament to determination, compassion, and unconditional love. She spent her life pouring love, care and passion into everyone and everything around her. Her life was defined by an extraordinary dedication to helping others. In her fifties, she proved that it is never too late to chase a dream by earning her degree from Northern Kentucky University, sharing the college experience alongside a couple of her children. She found great fulfillment in caring for others through her nursing career. She worked for many years as a compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), bringing comfort to countless patients before her retirement.

She possesses a legendary memory and deeply thoughtful heart – she never forgot a birthday. Her home was also a lifelong sanctuary for animals; she was never without a beloved pet by her side, treating her animals with the same tender care she gave to her human family. An avid animal lover, Carol loved every living creature, no matter how big or small. She instilled this compassion in her children, often reminding them that “everything deserves to live.”

Carol enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. She loved dancing, bowling, riding on motorcycles, playing video poker, trying her luck at the casino, and never passed up an opportunity for a game of BINGO.

Above all else, Carol was devoted to her family. She was a hardworking woman who lovingly raised five wonderful children, each of whom carried forward her values of love, perseverance, and family. Her greatest pride was watching her family continue to grow through generations and knowing the legacy she built would live on through them.

Carol was preceded in death by her close friend, Michael King, her parents, Garnett and Pansy Louise (Davenport), her brothers Freddie and Ronald, and beloved sister, Shirley Frakes, whom she loved deeply.

She leaves behind a massive, beautiful legacy of love. Carol is survived by her five children: Larry (Judy) Blackburn, Steve (Janella) Blackburn, Karen (Larry) Stanfield, Kimberly Cain, and Kris (Blaise) Huiet; her 14 beloved grandchildren; 36 treasured great-grandchildren; and 2 precious great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carol’s life on Friday, July 10, at Linnemann Funeral Homes in Erlanger. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Tri-State Noah Project in honor of Carol’s lifelong love and compassion for animals.