Carole Joyce Grimm Barnes

Announcing to all who knew and loved her, dear Carole departed with God, March 28, 2023, at 8:04 PM, Lexington, Kentucky. Born November 1945. Cherished daughter of Robert and Roberta Grimm. Devoted spouse of 37 years to Edwin Barnes. Loving mother to Cherri Thompson (Mark), Jerry Hager (Janelle), Shannon Barnes (Nitin), and Andrew Barnes (Lydia). Adoring grandmother to Michael, Christopher, and Scott Thompson, Vera and Sam Hager. Eldest sister to Michael Grimm, Leslie Grimm, Marcia Grimm (deceased), Nancy Grimm, and Mark Grimm.

Carole was a trained classical pianist and played with the Erie, Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra in high school. She held degrees from Heidelberg University and University of Kentucky. Carole dedicated three decades of her life serving as an Elementary School Guidance Counselor in Lexington and Fort Thomas, Kentucky schools. She was recognized as a Master Teacher by the National Education Association in 2012.

In her lifetime, Carole was an engaged church-oriented volunteer, joining her husband on numerous relief efforts including the Migrant Sanctuary Project in Nogales, Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, and the West Virginia/ Eastern Kentucky floods. She was a tireless advocate for improving family mental health and the prevention of domestic child abuse in Kentucky.

Carole loved to be active in her free time. She enjoyed many adventures backpacking

Red River Gorge, kayaking, camping, skiing and waterskiing in Colorado and New York, and traveling to as many warm sandy beaches as possible. In 1987, she sailed in a four-mast ship in the Caribbean and hiked a volcano in Montserrat while eight months pregnant.

She will be cherished for her boundless capacity to love, sing, have fun, and always see the good in others. Carole’s demonstration of inner strength and fortitude will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched. Our enduring memory of her great life is its exuberance, optimism, self-lessness, and abundant love for family, those in need, and all creatures great and small.

Please donate in Carole’s honor to the Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance (Lexington, KY), or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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