Carol Gwendolyn Woffard Phillips Prentiss

1942 - 2025

Carol Gwendolyn Woffard Phillips Prentiss

April 11, 1942 - May 12, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - Surrounded by family, Carol Wofford Phillips Prentiss passed away on Monday May 12, 2025. Carol was born in Charlotte, NC to the late Lucian P. Wofford and Gwendolyn B. Wofford on April 11, 1942. She was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Ray Phillips; and son, Jeffrey Phillips; second husband, James H. Prentiss; and stepson, Stephen M. Prentiss. She is survived by her sons, Eddie (Lisa) and Greg Phillips; stepchildren, Barbara Prentiss Franklin, Jim Prentiss (Judy), Susan Prentiss (Rusty), Rebecca Prentiss Melton; brothers, Luke Wofford (Alma), Tommy Wofford (Denise); grandchildren, Abigail, Brett (Dana) Ciela, Cody (Maria) Cole, Danielle (Dusty), Haley (Chad) Heather (Alex) Jeff (Kumi), Jordan (Abby), Joshua (Revelyn), Justin, Kelly (Robbie), Lindsay (Matthias), Maddie, Melissa (Jackson), Steve, Tanis (Brent) Tara (Nathan), Wesley (Taylor); great-grandchildren, Abram, Addison, Ali, Aslan, Avery, Beckett, Calli, Carly, Corban, Daveah, Destiny, Finley, Gracie, Gabriel, Leigh, Jacob, Kyzer, Lawson, Layna, Lula, Mason, Morgan, Savannah, Sophia, Townes, Zoe. Carol has many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Also, her great-niece, Lexy Gibson, was her caregiver for the past three years. Carol would say Lexy added to her quality of life and enjoyment having a devoted family member being by her side taking care of her. Carol had a great personality and made friends easily. After the birth of her sons, and they entered school, she decided to seek employment. She was hired as a Server at Shoney's and began her move up the ranks in management: Supervisor, Area Supervisor, District Manager, District Director. Carol's job was very demanding and required traveling to many Shoney's restaurants located in North and South Carolina. During this time Carol met James H. Prentiss, Chairman and CEO of Shoney's South, Inc., with the corporate office in Memphis, TN. Shoney's South, Inc., operated Shoney's, Captain D's, Hungry Fisherman, and steakhouse restaurants in ten southeastern states. Mr. Prentiss visited the restaurants frequently making inspections and visiting with employees. In 1986 Carol married Jim Prentiss and moved to Memphis. Mr. Prentiss was known in the Memphis area as a premier fundraiser. Carol immediately joined her husband on several projects. They worked together in the largest public / private fundraising drive in the city's history to expand and modernize outdated facilities at the Memphis Zoo. In 1996 Carol and Jim were the first couple to receive the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville of the Mid-South award; and received the NSFRE1998 Crystal Award for Philanthropy and many others. Carol also served on the Board of Directors of the Memphis Zoo, Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis, Memphis Food Bank and others. Carol and Jim met and made many friends throughout the Memphis community with their involvement in charitable fundraising and other worthy causes. They enjoyed life together traveling extensively during their 22 years of marriage. Both were very dedicated members of Advent Presbyterian Church in Cordova, TN. However, Carol's origin pet project was helping establish the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. In the fall 2008 issue of the Child Advocate (A publication of the MCAC) It reads: Her contributions are so vast, her impact so momentous, a special award had to be created to honor her. Of course, we are talking about Carol W. Prentiss. The Child Advocacy Center recently honored long-time supporter and volunteer leader Carol W. Prentiss with the Legacy Award. The award was created to honor a spectacular person whose commitment exceeds all bounds; whose generosity of spirit is endless, and whose influence has truly changed of course of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Carol has been a champion for the children we serve from the beginning. She came to help when the concept of a Child Advocacy Center was just an idea in the minds of a tiny committee. It did not yet have a home. It was not yet offering vital services to victims and their families. It was a simple concept - Carol gave it life. She went to hundreds of people and asked for donations and help. This included the mayors, bank presidents, family and friends. She founded the Chef's Celebrity Gala. This premier fundraising event raises $200,000 annually, all with an extremely low overhead. The Gala continues to be the premier fund raiser. Carol was on the original Board of Directors and continued to serve. After her husband's death in 2008, Carol remained in Memphis for several years and continued to serve on the boards of her favorite charities. In 2015 she returned to her home state, North Carolina, to be near family. Carol left a lasting impression and positive impact on so many people in her life. She will be greatly missed by family and many friends.

Services for Ms. Prentiss will be Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A memorial service will be held immediately after at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers Carol's wishes that if anyone would like to honor her, please send a donation in loving memory of Carol W. Prentiss to:

The Child Advocacy Center 1085 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38105 and The Memphis Zoo 2000 Prentiss Place Memphis, TN 38112.