Karen Louise Smith

Karen Louise Smith, affectionately known as “MOM”, (and to a select few as “WEEZIE”) was born July 18,1949 in Columbus, Ohio, to Charles Edward Smith and Mary Ellen (Harper) Smith. She was the youngest child of their union.

She attended the popular East High School of Columbus, Ohio and was a member of the class of 1967. After high school, she joined the United States Army at Fort Dix, NJ, where she served until 1988.

As part of a military family, she was employed at multiple outposts, including Ft Bliss in El Paso County, Texas, and Defense Electronics Supply Center of Dayton, OH and Wright Patterson AFB, from which she retired. She was a loyal friend and devoted employee, beloved and respected by many. She spent her “retirement years” as a private Hospice Caregiver, ministering and tending to the needs of the terminally ill.

Karen was a fiercely devoted grandmother and protector to her children and grandchildren. She was a volunteer in the grandparent’s program for Columbus City Schools. She was a very deliberate advocate for justice and an outspoken opponent of elder and child abuse. She loved fashion and was known for her unique hats.

In 1982, her then 14-year-old son, David, was involved in a vehicle crash that rendered him comatose until death in 1986. While these were some of her most trying times, they were, conversely, her saving grace, for it was during this trial that she found a renewal of her faith in Christ and an unwavering conviction to serve Him. Her new affiliation with the Seventh Day Adventist Church introduced her to engathering, the practice of door-to-door witnessing and inviting people to join the flock. She served in various capacities including that of mentor, choir member, deaconess, Sabbath School Teacher and Prayer Warrior. She loved the Kitchen Ministry at Beacon of Hope and especially enjoyed feeding her neighbors at Barnett Plaza, both located in Columbus,Ohio.

In April of this year, she received a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of duodenal cancer that rapidly took its toll on her weakening body. In her own way, she bore that cross with dignity, grace and her favorite soft drink, Coca Cola. She spent those precious hours relishing family with private visitations, love conversations and encouragement of others, despite her own decline.

On the morning of June 20, 2025, she drew her last breath surrounded by her loving children, Melissa and Milan, at The Kobacker House of Columbus, Ohio. She made it clear that there was to be no mourning of her passing, but rather, affectionate reflections on her profound quotes of wisdom and of our cherished memories over the years. Her final act of love was as an Ohio Organ Donor, when she gave the gift of sight in the form of her corneas to an awaiting stranger.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Ellen Smith, her oldest son, David Gregory Smith-McClendon, and youngest sister, Angela Smith. Surviving to cherish and uphold her legacy are her only daughter, Melissa R (William) Anderson, youngest son, Milan D. (Felicia) Smith and grandchildren, Joshua, Louis, Elias, Nate, Raelle, Kalani and Charlie. Her siblings, including Phoebe, Charles Edward, Jeremy.

Thank you, to Compassus and the Kobacker House for allowing us to witness the compassionate end-of-life-care and real-time counselling you so seamlessly showered upon Mom and us, and endless love goes out to our special aunt, Linda Lawson, who remained by our sides in every way, every day. To Leaf thank you for your respectful post care professionalism.

Mom, although you are already missed, we take comfort in knowing that YOU WERE READY.

Those that knew and loved you, rejoice in knowing that you are no longer in pain; that you are at peace in the bosom of the Holy Spirit. We love you and aspire to become as faithful servants to God’s will as you led us, by example.

Rest easy, WEEZIE…(MOM)…

Love eternal, your children,

Melissa and Milan

Angels all around