Meet Jeff Foxworthy’s Parents: Jimmy Abstance Foxworthy and Carole Linda Camp Foxworthy

Jeff Foxworthy, a celebrated American comedian, actor, and television personality, became a household name with his signature “You might be a redneck” one-liners and his involvement in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour.

Born on September 6, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia, Jeff was raised in the nearby suburb of Hapeville. He is of English descent with ancestral ties to Essex, England. His parents, Jimmy Abstance Foxworthy and Carole Linda Camp Foxworthy played a significant role in shaping his upbringing.

Growing up in a Southern Baptist household, Jeff accepted Jesus Christ at the age of seven, supported by his mother and church community. The eldest of three siblings, he has a younger brother, Jay Foxworthy, and a younger sister, Jennifer Foxworthy. His father, Jimmy, was an IBM executive, while his mother, Carole, devoted herself to family life, influenced by her father, a firefighter in Hapeville.

Jeff graduated from Hapeville High School in 1976 and briefly studied at Georgia Tech before working at IBM for five years alongside his father. However, his passion for comedy led him to leave the corporate world and pursue stand-up full-time in 1984.

While Jeff’s career and Southern-style humor are widely recognized, less attention is given to the people who shaped his early years—his parents, Jimmy and Carole Foxworthy. Let’s look at the couple who raised one of comedy’s most beloved figures.

Jimmy Abstance Foxworthy

Jimmy Abstance Foxworthy, Jeff’s father, was a man of discipline and professionalism. With English ancestry tracing back to Essex, England, he built a successful career as an executive at IBM, a dominant force in the technology industry during the mid-20th century. His work in Atlanta, Georgia, provided financial stability for the Foxworthy family, allowing them to establish their home in the thriving suburb of Hapeville.

At IBM, Jimmy held a role that required intelligence, dedication, and a strong work ethic—qualities Jeff may have inherited in his own way. Interestingly, Jeff followed in his father’s footsteps for a time, working in mainframe computer maintenance at IBM for five years.

Jimmy’s colleagues first encouraged Jeff to try stand-up comedy, leading him to perform at Atlanta’s Punchline comedy club in 1984—a pivotal moment that set his career in motion. In this way, Jimmy’s influence extends beyond providing for his family; he indirectly helps launch Jeff’s journey into comedy.

As the head of a household that blended practicality with Southern traditions, he and his wife, Carole, helped shape the upbringing of Jeff, the eldest of their three children—ultimately fostering the foundation for the humor that would make him a star.

Carole Linda Camp Foxworthy

Carole Linda Camp Foxworthy, Jeff’s mother, was the heart of the Foxworthy family, bringing warmth, stability, and a deep connection to her Southern roots.

Like her husband, she was of English descent, but her heritage was also steeped in the traditions of the American South. Her father, James Marvin Camp, served as a firefighter in Hapeville for over three decades, embodying the blue-collar resilience and community spirit that Jeff would later celebrate in his comedy.

Raising Jeff and his younger siblings, Jay and Jennifer, in a Southern Baptist household, Carole instilled values that left a lasting impact on her eldest son. Jeff has often spoken about his faith, recalling how he accepted Jesus Christ at the age of seven.

Initially, Carole hesitated, feeling he might be too young to fully understand the commitment, but after a preacher affirmed Jeff’s sincerity, she supported his decision, standing by his side as he took this important step. This moment reflects Carole’s thoughtful and nurturing nature—balancing faith with a deep care for her children’s personal growth.

While Jimmy provided financial stability through his career at IBM, Carole was the family’s emotional anchor, fostering an environment where Jeff’s creativity could thrive. Her influence can be seen in his down-to-earth humor and ability to find comedy in everyday family life—a sign of a childhood filled with love, warmth, and relatable quirks.

The Foxworthys made their home in Hapeville, just south of Atlanta, a setting that played a key role in shaping Jeff’s identity. Growing up in a close-knit Southern community, surrounded by a mix of English heritage and working-class values, gave him a unique perspective that would later define his comedic voice. Their decision to raise their family in Georgia placed Jeff at the heart of the culture he would go on to represent, from Atlanta’s energy to Hapeville’s small-town charm.

Though Jimmy and Carole led private lives compared to their famous son, their influence is undeniable. Jimmy’s corporate career and Carole’s deep family ties provided Jeff with both stability and a rich well of storytelling material.

One can easily imagine Jimmy’s world at IBM inspiring jokes about rednecks in suits, while Carole’s Southern upbringing may have fueled Jeff’s hilarious takes on church potlucks and family traditions. Together, they laid the foundation for the man—and the comedian—Jeff Foxworthy would become.