Gloria "Jean" Phillips

Gloria "Jean" Phillips, 82, of Talladega, AL passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. Her family will receive friends on Saturday, November 01, 2025, at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. A graveside ceremony will be held in her honor at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 02, 2025, at Pine Hill Memorial Park with Billy Epperson officiating.
Jean was born in Pell City, AL to T.C. and Vergie Herring. T.C. was in the United States Navy during World War II, so Jean was 18 months old before he ever got to see her. She attended Lincoln High School and graduated from there in 1961. She went on to earn her master's degree from the University of Alabama. Jean started her career as an English teacher at Lincoln High School, and she ended her 28-year career as an educator as a gifted teacher in the Talladega County School System. During her tenure as a gifted teacher, she took many school trips with her students. One trip being when they were invited to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington D.C. to learn about and experience the culture. She took pride in her students gaining new wisdom and experiences that would enrich their lives. Mrs. Phillips also loved cooking, her family, and spending time with them. Few people could hold a candle to her cooking ability. She loved her husband and said many times that she couldn't have married into a better family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus "Doc" Phillips, parents, T.C. and Vergie Herring, and son, James Brian Phillips.
Jean is survived by her sons, Kiah Phillips, Jonathan "Bomba" Phillips, and Hayden Phillips; sister, Carol Herring; grandchildren, Derek Phillips, Rachel Phillips, Hunter Phillips (Meagan), Caitlin Sanschagrin (Jeff), Johnny Page, Rachel Gagnon, Zoey Gagnon, and Casper Gagnon, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Hunter Phillips, Derek Phillips, John Bryant, Rick Abbott, Lee Gunter, Alan Burns, and David Curlee will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org, by phone at 1-800-805-5856, or by mail at 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.
Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.