Carol Gilliam Green

Carol Lee Gilliam Green, 81, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away July 23, 2025, with her caregivers and dear friend by her side. Carol was born, April 19, 1944, in Poplar Bluff Missouri. The eldest of two children born to Millard and Nadine Gilliam, Carol spent her childhood in Poplar Bluff surrounded by her cousins and excelling academically. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1962.

Carol graduated summa cum laude from Southeast Missouri State University in 1965, with a Bachelor of Science in Education with majors in English and History. In 1967, Carol completed her Master of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri. From 1965 through 1977, Carol taught English in Jefferson City and Springfield, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Topeka and Wichita, Kansas, before enrolling in law school at Washburn University in the fall of 1978. In May 1981, Carol graduated first in her class of 173 law students and began her legal career working for Chief Justice Alford G. Schroeder the same month. From June of 1982 through August of 1991, Carol served as the Director of Central Research for the Kanss Court of Appeals, and then as Clerk of the Kansas Appellate Courts until her retirement in June of 2014.

As clerk, Carol wore several “hats” including serving as secretary for the Board of Examiners for Court Reporters, the Kansas Board of Law Examiners, the Client Protection Fund Commission, the Commission on Judicial Qualifications, and the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. No task as Clerk was ever just completed, it was finished with perfection, professionalism, with every detail flawlessly in place. An expectation that attorneys across the state came to expect and rely on. She was always as knowledgeable as she was approachable, setting countless minds at ease as young attorneys learning to navigate the waters of the practice of law.

Over the years, Carol was active in local, state, and national bar and professional associations including: American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks, Topeka and Shawnee County Youth Court Adult Advisory Committee, Topeka Bar Association, Washburn Law School Association Board of Governors, and the Women Attorney Association often serving in leadership roles and achieving recognition for her service and professionalism. Carol received the Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Service Award (1995), Leavenworth County Bar Association Smiling Bull Award (2003), Topeka Bar Association Hon. E. Newton Vickers Professionalism Award (2006), KBA Distinguished Government Service Award (2008), and the Washburn University School of Law Distinguished Service Award (2012).

Despite her expansive legal career, Carol always managed to find time to for her family, friends and her community. She served on the Westboro Homeowners Association Board of Directors, United Way Citizen Review Panel, Menninger Lecture Series Executive Board, Friends of the Topeka Zoo Board of Directors, Junior League, and as a Member of the Grace Episcopal Cathedral.

Carol was proceeded in death by her father, mother, and sister. She is survived by her dear friends Francine Angell-Holland (Jason), and Pam Alexander (Ken). Her cousins Linda Bounds, Janice Bounds Pyle, Nancy Bounds, Aneta Balcolm, Cynthia Bounds, Randy Clanahan, and Marge Clanahan. And her niece Wendy Meade, and nephew Jay Warren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. In her honor, memorial contributions can be made to the Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604-1374 in care of The Kid's Section.

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