Carol Kirby Burkett

Carol was born to John Herbert and Mildred Addine Kirby on Tuesday, February 13th, 1951 in Nashville, Tennessee. As the fifth of six children, Carol gained her mother's maternal instinct and her father's love for animals and people in general. Along with her four sisters and her brother, the Kirby family moved back and forth between Nashville, Tennessee; Cocoa Beach, Florida before finally settling into South Florida where Carol was able to earn her High School Diploma along with the Miami Central High Class of 1969. She held numerous job positions over the years, but was most proud of her work as a homemaker and volunteer.

In the 1970's, Carol started a Singles Bowling League at Hialeah Lanes Bowling Alley, where she eventually met her soul mate. On July 3rd, 1976, Carol married her best friend - David Michael Burkett - at Immaculate Conception Church in Hialeah, Florida. Shortly thereafter, numerous bowlers on the league began to pair up and marry, and they transitioned to the Mixers League.

Carol became a "Classroom Mom" at Palm Springs Elementary starting in 1986. The following year, when she learned there was no active Girl Scout troop at the school, Carol formed Brownie Troop #892. When her girl scouts began to outgrow the Brownie age level, Carol bridged with them, taking on the Junior Troop responsibilities as well and changing the troop number to 1892. Carol continued to bridge with her girl scouts, eventually taking on the Cadette and Senior age levels as well - leading nearly fifty girls between the ages of four and seventeen right before her retirement in June of 1998.

During this time, Carol also volunteered as a Library Aide and a Counselor for troubled children at Palm Springs Elementary. By the beginning of the school year in 1990, Carol became the PTA President for the Elementary School. She actively fundraised and pushed for special fieldtrips and activities, but her true call to arms was making sixth grade especially memorable for the students who would be moving on to Junior High the following year. During her presidency through 1993, the sixth grade classes had an overnight field trip to St. Augustine, a day trip to Disney's Epcot Center and a formal banquet and graduation.

During the 1990's, Carol's volunteer work focused more around her love of the performing arts. Carol volunteered briefly with the Goodlet Park Players Children's Theater from 1995 through 1997. She dedicated a year to being "Mama Carol" for the Voice United Theater Group in 1996 before moving on to become an active member of the Main Street Players (fka: The Community Theater of Hialeah-Miami Lakes.) During her time with the community theater group from 1995 through 2005, she sold tickets, ushered, stocked refreshments, ran the concession stand, worked diligently on the Board of Directors and - the true highlight of her theater experience - performed as "Maria, The Maid" in Love, Sex & The IRS - a role which earned her a Sabrina Award for Best Character in a Play.

Carol is survived by her husband, David Michael Burkett (Hialeah, FL); her son, Shane Anthony Burkett and his wife Suellen (Pembroke Pines, FL); her daughter Heather Renee Burkett (Hialeah, FL); her granddaughters Tiffany Marie Burkett, Samantha Vaselike Burkett, Kimberly Anthea Burkett and Katherine Eleni Burkett; her sisters Linda Lamont and Sandra Keirstead; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred Kirby; sisters Dorothy Dabbs and Gloria Felten; and brother Edward Kirby.

Carol's viewing will take place at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home at 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood, FL. Private family viewing will be held from 6:00 pm to 6:30 on Friday, July 10th, 2015 with the public viewing to follow immediately after through to 8:30 pm. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m.

Her funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, July 11th, 2015 at St. Bonaventure Church, located at 1301 South 136th Avenue in Davie, FL.

Carol's final wish was to be cremated following her funeral. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, we request that donations be sent to the American Kidney Fund at http://www.kidneyfund.org/donate/memorial-gift/, to help other patients and families dealing with kidney failure and dialysis. Donations may be made anonymously, but if you wish to notify the family of your donation, you may send the notification to [emailprotected]

Carol will always be remembered for her generosity, affectionate nature, love of people, babies and animals, her great big hugs, broad smile, infectious laughter and for being the very best audience member in the house.