Carol Sue Kirkpatrick, 68, of Fair Grove, Missouri, passed away on December 8^th, 2025. Born on December 14, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri, Carol lived a life marked by resilience, profound love, and unwavering dedication to her family and community.

One of six children, Carol’s early years involved numerous moves, which perhaps instilled in her a deep appreciation for creating a stable and loving home. A significant moment in her youth occurred in 1969 when, at just 12 years old, she met her best friend (Nettie Phillips) of 52 years on a school bus.

At age 16, Carol met the love of her life, Roy Eugene Kirkpatrick Sr., at a church in Blue Springs, Missouri. They married in February of the following year, sharing a dream of having a large family. While life presented challenges, including the stillbirth of their son, Michael, in 1974, and health complications after the birth of their second son, Roy Eugene Kirkpatrick Jr. (Sonny) in 1975, these hardships only strengthened their bond, forging a deeply committed marriage.

Carol dedicated many years to being a homemaker, a role she cherished. She later returned to the workforce, initially at Walmart, and then transitioned into healthcare. Driven by a desire to care for her grandmother, she earned her GED and medical technician license, with the invaluable assistance of her son, Sonny, particularly with the math portion. She worked at various facilities, including WebCo, Marshfield Care, Christian Healthcare, and Mercy Hospital Springfield, where she was an integral part of medication reconciliation and patient safety initiatives. She retired in 2018 due to complications from an autoimmune disease.

In retirement, Carol cherished her time with her late husband, her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and special nieces. Her passions included road trips, cooking, art, painting, sewing, gardening, and sheltering animals. Holidays were incredibly important to her, and she was renowned for her efforts to include everyone and ensure no guest ever went hungry. Carol was also known for her quick wit and sarcasm.

The last four years presented significant challenges for Carol, including the global pandemic and the losses of her best friend of over 50 years and her husband. She found comfort and a wonderful community within the First Baptist Church of Fair Grove, enjoying Bible study and fellowship dinners.

Carol is survived by her son, Roy Jr., and his wife, Missy; her grandchildren, Devante Wheeler, Chyna Girth (Zach), Erin White (Lucas), Blaine, and Stormy Sue; her great-grandchildren, LynnLeigh, Waylon, and Colson; her sister, Sherry Lorentz; her brother, Randy Dinwiddie; her aunt, Roberta Dinwiddie; and her nieces, Anna and Jessamyn Phillips.

Visitation will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home East on Wednesday December 10^th from 5-7:00 PM. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, Fair Grove, MO on Thursday December 11^th at 10:00 AM.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol’s name to Lung Cancer Research.