Carol Ann Belle McKim (Minton)

Carol Ann Belle McKim (Minton), age 75, of Paoli, passed away January 12, 2025, at her home. She was born on May 12, 1949, in Huntingburg, Indiana, to parents Estel and Ona Belle (Thornburg) McKim. Carol worked many years as a CNA at Paoli Health & Living, and attended Paoli Christian Church.

Carol, born to Estel and Ona McKim, inherited her love for flowers, which she so lovingly tended, from her mother, who was affectionately known as "the flower lady." Carol inherited not just a green thumb but a fierce determination to keep her garden blooming and weed-free. The weeds feared her—and with good reason. She didn’t just pull weeds; she evicted them with extreme prejudice, armed with vinegar & salt and sometimes a trowel for the nearly impossible ones, and a withering glare that could make a dandelion spontaneously combust. Even while battling cancer, Carol waged an epic war against rogue greenery, pruned with the precision of a bonsai artist on caffeine, and squared off against moles in the yard with a vengeance that left them writing memoirs titled "Surviving Carol." Rumor has it, these memoirs may even inspire a Netflix series—a comical adventure chronicling the great mole wars and Carol’s unyielding crusade to protect her garden.

Carol was also a collector of treasures—not the kind you’d find in a museum, but the heartfelt offerings of her children and grandchildren. From whimsical drawings to an eclectic sock collection that could rival a carnival sideshow, she cherished each piece as a testament to their love. She delighted in the antics of her great-grandchildren and stored their adventures as cherished stories in her heart, though she’d never admit to laughing when they got into mischief.

As a secret giver, Carol never sought the spotlight but quietly made a difference. Whether it was anonymously funding books for a classroom, recycling caps for benches, or saving the planet one recycled item at a time, her generosity knew no bounds.A true pioneer of recycling before it was trendy, Carol’s dedication to recycling might be considered an extreme sport. If there had been an Olympic medal for turning trash into treasure, Carol would’ve taken gold every time.

As a master in stain-fighting, Carol’s skills were nothing short of legendary. Even her former mother-in-law declared that Carol kept the family’s socks whiter than freshly fallen snow. Blood, Kool-aid, grass—you name it, she could banish it like a magician performing laundry sorcery. Tough stains didn’t stand a chance against Carol—whether in laundry or in life. Once she made up her mind, that was how it was going to be. Her determination to pre-soak was legendary—she was winning that battle with the stains, no matter how stubborn. In the same way, she shared her faith with steadfast determination and conviction, because sharing her faith was a way she showed concern and was her purpose. Door-to-door evangelists quickly learned that knocking on her door was less a chance to convert her and more an invitation to a theological sparring match that could leave them questioning their career choices—and possibly borrowing her stain-removal tips on the way out.

Though she spent her childhood in Bristow and New Albany, Carol planted her roots firmly in Paoli, a community she held dear. She formed lifelong friendships in the town she proudly called home.

Survivors include: Daughters- Michelle Grimes (Bryan) of Fort Worth, TX & Kimberly Hobson (Kerry) of Clarksville, Indiana; Sons- Kenny Minton (Kristina) of Dayton, OH & Rudy Minton of Columbus, Indiana; one brother Pat McKim (Karen) of South Dakota; Grandchildren- Kyle Grimes (Jaydon) , Hilary Hahn (James), Taylor Lewis (Alissa), Kenny Minton III, Ashlynne Minton, Bella Earhart, Mila Minton, Aaron Hobson (Shannon), Rachel Judd (Thomas) & Jesse Hobson; great-grandchildren- Beatrix, Timothy, Cosette, Saoirse, Xander, Adelaide, Marley, Maddy, Izzy, Amara, Harper, Weston, Autumn & Reina.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Son- Michael Ray “Mickey” Darnell & sister- Norma Bash.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm Monday, January 20, 2025, at McAdams Mortuary. The funeral will be 1pm Tuesday, January 21, at McAdams Mortuary. Bro. Phil LaMaster will officiate. Burial will be at Upper Beard Cemetery in Bristow, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Orange County Cancer Patient Services.

Carol Ann Belle McKim (Minton)—gardener extraordinaire, sock connoisseur, secret giver, and master stain remover—will be missed, but her roots run deep, and her blooms will live on in the hearts of those she touched. Somewhere, she’s probably admiring celestial socks and making angels laugh with tales of mole warfare.

In her memory, plant a flower (preferably one that scares weeds), wear something lavender (bonus points if it matches your socks), and recycle or re-purpose something unique. Extra credit if you can make a birdhouse out of old yogurt containers or turn a broken rake into garden art. Carol would’ve loved that—and probably offered you some tips on how to do it better.