Carol Bess Blackerby (nee Burns) passed away at home in La Quinta, CA, on May 2, 2025. Everyone who knew Carol knows that she worked, lived and loved "her way" as an educator, high school principal, assistant superintendent of schools, mother, wife, friend and mentor.
Carol was born in Chicago during World War II to Aldonna (Dunbar) and Army Captain Burton "Bud" Burns, a Silver and Bronze Star winner. She was educated at Clinton High School outside St. Louis, Missouri; Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and earned her master's degree at the University of New Mexico. As a child she often joined her maternal grandfather on Saturday nights for the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, the WLS National Barn Dance. She later came to love show tunes and the very mention of "Chicago", "Fiddler on the Roof" or "Carousel" would set her eyes sparkling and her voice soaring.
Carol moved to San Jose, CA in the early 1970s to teach school and raise her children. She taught students at William C. Overfelt High School, taught and counseled students at Oak Grove High School, was principal at Piedmont Hills High School, and Independence High School, and when she retired, she was (acting) Assistant Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District. Her love of learning and demanding high standards were a contagious hallmark of Carol's career. She recounted with joy her chance encounters with former students who recalled fondly the positive impact she made on their lives. Carol met the love of her life, Kirk Alva Blackerby, an expert witness and professor of economics, playing bridge. They married and moved to Morgan Hill from which they advanced in their careers, traveled extensively, grew a magnificent garden, and continued to raise Kelly, and Matthew, and numerous beloved pets. Carol was proud of her Lithuanian and Ukrainian heritage - passing on that pride to her children and grandchildren - and visited both countries as part of her world travels with Kirk.
Carol and Kirk retired to La Quinta, CA, where they spent time creating their dream home at the Citrus, playing golf, bridge and "having tons and tons of fun" with new friends, old friends and family. Her desert Christmas traditions are unforgettable, decorating her home just so, and wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve over cracked crab and a box of Stuft Pizza. Visitors often found Carol at her grand piano playing show tunes, or at the kitchen island, martini shaker in-hand. If you joined her for coffee at dawn, you would hear her repeat, "I just love the desert" while looking out her window at the sunlight on Indio Mountain. When Carol called out to Alexa to "play Frank Sinatra," and his classic hit, "My Way" came on, she would declare, "I want people to know that I did it my way, too." She did. We do.
Carol is survived by her devoted husband of forty-six years, Kirk Blackerby; her loving daughter, Kelly Craighead, and son-in-law, Erick Mullen; her cherished son, Matthew Blackerby, and daughter-in-law, Jaime Blackerby. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Avery and Caroline Mullen, William Blackerby, Ryan Hankins, and Maddie Hankins. Additionally, Carol is survived by her sister, Judy Patton, and her family, as well as numerous dear friends that were like family.
In lieu of a funeral, Carol's life will be celebrated over the holidays, which was her favorite time of the year. Those wishing to honor Carol can contribute at any time to the Coachella Animal Network (www.coachellaanimalnetwork.og) or East Side Education Foundation, 645 Wool Creek Drive, San Jose, CA 95112, in memory of Carol Blackerby.
Carol was born in Chicago during World War II to Aldonna (Dunbar) and Army Captain Burton "Bud" Burns, a Silver and Bronze Star winner. She was educated at Clinton High School outside St. Louis, Missouri; Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and earned her master's degree at the University of New Mexico. As a child she often joined her maternal grandfather on Saturday nights for the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, the WLS National Barn Dance. She later came to love show tunes and the very mention of "Chicago", "Fiddler on the Roof" or "Carousel" would set her eyes sparkling and her voice soaring.
Carol moved to San Jose, CA in the early 1970s to teach school and raise her children. She taught students at William C. Overfelt High School, taught and counseled students at Oak Grove High School, was principal at Piedmont Hills High School, and Independence High School, and when she retired, she was (acting) Assistant Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District. Her love of learning and demanding high standards were a contagious hallmark of Carol's career. She recounted with joy her chance encounters with former students who recalled fondly the positive impact she made on their lives. Carol met the love of her life, Kirk Alva Blackerby, an expert witness and professor of economics, playing bridge. They married and moved to Morgan Hill from which they advanced in their careers, traveled extensively, grew a magnificent garden, and continued to raise Kelly, and Matthew, and numerous beloved pets. Carol was proud of her Lithuanian and Ukrainian heritage - passing on that pride to her children and grandchildren - and visited both countries as part of her world travels with Kirk.
Carol and Kirk retired to La Quinta, CA, where they spent time creating their dream home at the Citrus, playing golf, bridge and "having tons and tons of fun" with new friends, old friends and family. Her desert Christmas traditions are unforgettable, decorating her home just so, and wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve over cracked crab and a box of Stuft Pizza. Visitors often found Carol at her grand piano playing show tunes, or at the kitchen island, martini shaker in-hand. If you joined her for coffee at dawn, you would hear her repeat, "I just love the desert" while looking out her window at the sunlight on Indio Mountain. When Carol called out to Alexa to "play Frank Sinatra," and his classic hit, "My Way" came on, she would declare, "I want people to know that I did it my way, too." She did. We do.
Carol is survived by her devoted husband of forty-six years, Kirk Blackerby; her loving daughter, Kelly Craighead, and son-in-law, Erick Mullen; her cherished son, Matthew Blackerby, and daughter-in-law, Jaime Blackerby. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Avery and Caroline Mullen, William Blackerby, Ryan Hankins, and Maddie Hankins. Additionally, Carol is survived by her sister, Judy Patton, and her family, as well as numerous dear friends that were like family.
In lieu of a funeral, Carol's life will be celebrated over the holidays, which was her favorite time of the year. Those wishing to honor Carol can contribute at any time to the Coachella Animal Network (www.coachellaanimalnetwork.og) or East Side Education Foundation, 645 Wool Creek Drive, San Jose, CA 95112, in memory of Carol Blackerby.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol Bess Blackerby, please visit our flower store.
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