Caroline Bee Jones

Caroline was born on May 3, 1937 in Fort Smith, Ark. to Carl and Mary Jane Vines, Van Buren, Ark. In 1954, Caroline graduated from the Van Buren High School and in 1957, she graduated from the Sparks Memorial Hospital, School of Nursing, with a Registered Nursing degree. Upon graduation, Caroline Vines married James Lewis Phillips, Fort Smith, Ark. where they raised their sons, James Lewis Phillips III and Robert Edward Phillips. Caroline and Lewis made several cherished friendships while working with New York Life Insurance. These friendships resulted in yearly family vacation trips to Red River, New Mexico. Caroline and Lewis were avid fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks where they took their boys and friends to football games. Upon the passing of her husband Lewis, Caroline returned to New York Life Insurance to continue with sales. In 1997, Caroline Phillips married Robert (Bob) Jones, Fort Smith, Ark. Caroline Jones was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years where she enjoyed volunteering in women’s ministry. She was also active in the community volunteering at the Fort Smith Library, Salvation Army, Fort Smith Service League, and Saint Edwards Hospital. Caroline enjoyed knitting, traveling, watching Arkansas Razorbacks, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Caroline Jones is survived by her sons, James Lewis Phillips, III, Santa Anna, Calif.; Robert Edward Phillips and wife, Robin Phillips, Yukon, Okla.; grandchildren, Connor Phillips, Denver, Colo.; Ryan Phillips, White Fish, Montana; Robbie Crosier and wife, Mallory Crosier, Edmond, Okla.; Kennedy Crane, and Jackson Crane, Calif.; and great grandchildren, Cora Crosier, Reid Crosier, and Lucy Crosier, Edmond, Okla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Mary Jane Vines; her husband, James Lewis Phillips; and her husband, Robert Jones.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Smith, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in her honor to the First Presbyterian Church Women’s Ministry, Fort Smith, Ark.