Carol Ann Kimball

Carol Ann Kimball, of Overland Park, KS, died on February 15, 2026, at the age of 81. Carol dedicated her life to caring for others. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she served her community with compassion, steadiness, and an unwavering belief in people’s ability to heal and grow.

Carol lived with a fierce, tender-hearted devotion to the world around her—especially to animals and the natural environment she loved so deeply. If she saw a pet she believed needed care, she stepped in without hesitation… even if that animal technically “already had a human.” That was Carol: protective, observant, and unwilling to walk past something that needed help.

She was also wonderfully direct—she said what was on her mind, and she could be stubborn (in the best way): steady in her convictions, loyal to what she believed was right, and unafraid to advocate for it. Her respect for the earth wasn’t a slogan; it was a practice. In her backyard, she created what she called a “habitat.” To some, it might have looked like overgrown bushes, but those who knew Carol understood it for what it truly was: a lovingly tended ecosystem. She spent time nurturing natural soil, encouraging native plants, and making space for wildlife to thrive.

Carol found balance and joy in yoga, returning to it with the same quiet discipline and intention that shaped so much of her life. She also enjoyed the laughter and friendships of her bowling league, where her presence was as constant as it was appreciated.

Above all, Carol’s greatest joy was her baby boy, Ben. She devoted her life to loving him, supporting him, and celebrating him. In a final, beautiful gift, she left behind a carefully preserved archive of his life—photos, awards, keepsakes, even locks of hair from his first haircut and his baby teeth—tiny treasures that became a lasting record of her love. She left her family not just mementos, but a lifetime of cherished memories.

Carol is survived by her son, Benjamin Earl Burton (Tiffany); her sister, Nancy Redhage; and her four grandchildren, Christopher, Trinity, Ben Jr., and Quinn.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Leo “Frankie” Reed Jr.; her father, Leo Franklin Reed Sr.; and her mother, Carlene Ruby Reed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Carol’s memory to Wayside Waifs KC, a local animal adoption campus.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.