Carol Barnett

Carol Laraine Barnett was born on March 7, 1945, in Warrensburg, Missouri to Ivan James Barnett and Ethel Earline Barnett (Spencer). Carol graduated from Natoma High School in 1964. She received her bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and, later, her Masters in Speech Pathology from Phillips University.
After graduation, Carol worked for the Kansas Institute of Logopedics. Then in 1968, she moved to Fresno, California, where she continued her professional career.
Carol worked with the Elks, the Fresno School System, Easter Seals, California Diagnostic Center, and the Tulare County School System, where she developed and staffed a program for children with autism.
Carol's life was dedicated to the children she served, developing new and better skills for each child she taught, and working with the child's family. Carol was very adept at working with children who had little or no speech skills at all, giving them their best chance at a successful education and life. Her long-time friend and co-worker, Bev Long, once stated that these children are "Carol's Kids."
Carol also dedicated much of her time to her faith, co-teaching Sunday School, and developing many special friendships in California and beyond. She took many trips with religious groups, learning about and enjoying other people of faith. One such trip took her to the Holy Land, a transformative experience which further deepened her connection to God and to others. 
Carol loved her family and her family loved her. She was a great daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt. Her visits to Kansas, especially during Christmas, were filled with fun and laughter. Nieces and nephews would visit Carol during the summer months. A trip to Disneyland, the mountains or the coast was always a part of the visit.
The last 11 years of Carol's life were spent in many levels of Care at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, Kansas. Our family is grateful for the many staff members who provided wonderful care for her. We would like to acknowledge a few of the them, such as Janelle Cumro-Sultzer, who gave Carol friendship in the early stages of Carol's illness, Teresa Montgomery and the Honstead staff at Meadowlark, including Katelyn, Brennen, Bonnie, Thacher as well as many others who provided end of life care.
She is survived by her brother, Mark Brown-Barnett and his wife, Patty; her nephew, Chad Barnett and his wife, Chris; her nephew, Paul Brecht; and her niece, Jenny Sebree and her husband, Ben.
Services for Carol will be on Thursday, January 23 at 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1110 College Ave, Manhattan, KS. 
Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Yorgensen-Malone-Londeen Funeral Home at 1616 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS. 
The family recommends any memorial be given to the Carol L. Barnett Scholarship Fund at Fort Hays State University or to Meadowlark Hills' Memory Program. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com