KIMBERLY RENEE CAPPS,
53, of Maumelle, passed away February 23, 2024.
She was born November 10, 1970, in Little Rock, Ark., to Pat Kirspel (Capps) Claud and the late Gary D Capps.
She attended Northeast High School in NLR and graduated in 1989. She set out for New York where she attended the Para-Educator Center at NYU and in 1991 completed a two-year program receiving 12 credit hours from NYU.
As a newborn, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and received a shunt. Her neurosurgeon gave the best piece of advice Pat ever received, “You treat her as a handicap, she will be handicapped.” At six months, he called her a miracle. A year later she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. In neuro and ortho clinics at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, she made sure her fellow patients were okay, patting their hands and whispering encouragement. She attended Camp Aldersgate for disabled youth, and they eventually asked her to be a counselor instead of camper because she was so good helping the timid/nervous campers relax and feel safe.
Kimberly loved music, especially the late 1970s and 1980s.
At one parents’ teacher conference, Pat was told she was expecting too much from Kimberly. Pat’s response was Kimberly could name every rock star, their bands, the bands they were with before, and their life stories. She can learn. She loved Duran Duran. When “Don’t Stop Believin’” played, Pat would turn to Kimberly and say, “are you ready,” crank it loud, and they sang at top of their lungs.
Kimberly loved bowling and found an entire new family of friends. As a big sports fan she loved her Razorbacks, NBA especially Chicago Bulls, and the Kansas City Chiefs. She worked out at 10 Fitness and, when she walked inside, she owned the place. Everyone loved her there.
On a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, Kimberly found her love for art, especially Edgar Degas’ ballet dancers. She is a member of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
All her life she struggled with headaches and frustration with her CP. She would say, “It is what it is.” She handled it with grace and dignity, never complaining.
Kimberly was the sweetest, kindest, most caring person to ever walk the earth. Her strength and inner goodness flowed into everyone she met. That was her purpose, the reason the Lord put her here.
She is preceded in death by her father, Gary Capps; and stepdad, Michael Claud.
Kimberly leaves behind her mother, Pat (Kirspel) Claud; Capps family sister Katie Capps; and brother, Detrick Capps; Claud family sisters Tricia Claud, Cristi Lam; and brother, Shawn M Claud Sr.
Visitation to be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday March 3, 2024, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home followed by Rosary at 5:00 then shared memories and tribute. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Holy Souls Catholic Church.
In honor of Kimberly, invitation to wear her favorite color purple or animal print to her service.
Memorials can be made to either Arkansas Childrens Hospital online https://Support. ARChildrens.org/by check AR Childrens Foundation, P.O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 OR Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts online https://my.arkmfa.org/ donate/i/47 by check AMFA, P.O. Box 2137, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Visit www.SmithFamilyCares. com for more on Kimberly’s life.