Carol Lee Gilbert was born on August 7, 1938 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Claude Buster Barnes and Blanche Leona (Carroll) Barnes. She passed away on August 17, 2024 at the age of 86, at her home in Las Animas, Colorado. Carol grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she completed high school. She and a friend went to California after high school and there she met Ralph Gilbert. They married three months later on October 27, 1962 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After living in California awhile, they lived in Seattle, Washington, Douglas, Arizona, Colorado Springs, Colorado and the final move was to Las Animas, Colorado around 30 years ago.

Carol coached a great deal of softball, led Girl Scout troops, and taught religious classes, all while raising her children. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Las Animas. Carol was often the brunt of Ralph’s jokes, getting many to believe that she was a member of the Bay City Bombers, a roller derby team.

Carol is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Ralph; children, Becky Gilbert of Trinidad, Colorado, Cheryl (Gary) Thompson of Pueblo, Colorado, Nancy (Greg) Miller of Haswell, Colorado, Sarah (Ron) Zink of Las Animas, Colorado, Melissa Gilbert of Las Animas, Colorado, Paddy (Brian) England of Las Animas, Colorado, Jacob (Rosalie) Gilbert of Las Animas, Colorado, and Emma Gilbert of Corpus Christi, Texas. In addition, she is survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Nancy Ann; grandson, Shawn Gilbert; and her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Ann Gilbert.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church of Las Animas.  Cremation will follow and inurnment will take place at a later date. Valley Funeral and Cremation is in charge of arrangements.