Carol Ann Klinker

Carol Ann Phillips Klinker 1944-2025

 Carol Ann Phillips Klinker, 80, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away in her sleep on January 8th, 2025. 

 Carol was born in Logansport, Indiana on June 4th, 1944 to Mary Ann Phillips. She attended Logansport High School and Ball State University. She was a resident of Lafayette, Indiana and Hickory, North Carolina before moving to Spartanburg.

 In her twenties, she was proud to own more than one Corvette, which were her favorite cars. She was crafty and artistic taking on painting, ceramics and stained glass. She loved animals and had several poodles during her life. She was drawn to giraffes and collected them in many forms, including prints, dolls and sculptures. 

 She wore many hats in her lifetime and once worked as the Executive Secretary for the owner of the New York Jets. Folks in Spartanburg would most likely recognize her as the matriarch of her family’s business of 20 years, Venus Pie Pizzeria, where she could be seen taking care of customers, handing out coloring sheets, or blowing bubbles for the kids. She was always taking care of people, volunteering with Hospice, Mobile Meals, and as a youth minister. 

 She adored her family and was affectionately known as Go Go. She was preceded in death by her father, Osceola Dewey Phillips, Jr., her step-father Ellis Mason, and her mother, Mary Ann (Phillips) Mason. She is survived by the love-of-her-life, David Klinker, to whom she was married to for 53 years, as well as two sisters Nita Mason of Spartanburg, and Marsha Gaumer of Logansport, Indiana. She also leaves leaves her son Matthew Klinker (wife, Kerri Klinker), daughter Christine Klinker Cox, as well as her six grandchildren, Sarah Klinker, Claire Klinker, Maggie Klinker, Jackson Klinker, Maddox Cox (father, Scott Cox), and Mary Belle Long (father, Stephen Long), in addition to nieces, nephews and other family members.

 Carol’s memory will forever be held in the hearts of her family, who will hold a celebration of life at a later date. Any donations desired can be made to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (giraffeconservation.org) in her name.