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Karen Kay Smith Gardner was born January 14, 1942 in Butler, MO to Buford "Bum" Smith and Louise Burke Smith, the oldest of four children.
Karen grew up on the family farm east of Butler and spent her days playing in the creek, working in the fields with her dad, cooking for thrashers, getting sent to her room with sister Martina for laughing at the dinner table. This laughing and talking continued in high school, and she was sent to the hallway, which she loved--MORE people to talk to!
As an adult, Karen had many jobs. She worked at Butler State Bank; was a stay-at-home mom while running MFA Oil bulk delivery service; drove a bus and a gas truck; worked as a florist; taught Sunday school at both Ohio Street United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church; was a checker at Price Chopper; balanced the Butler R-V School District's books "to the penny", something of which she was very proud. She retired in 2006.
In retirement, she did not just sit around doing nothing. She babysat grandkids, volunteered at Pantry Thrift Store and the food pantry. She baked countless chocolate chip cookies for family and friends. She was a master at breads and rolls, chocolate sheet cake, cooking in general. Karen's fried chicken in her huge cast iron skillet was a family favorite. She enjoyed gardening and attending garden club. Her yard had a variety of flowers that all grew well because she tended them when able and had a very green thumb! She enjoyed sewing and was the family mender. If your jeans had holes "Meme can fix it!"! Pillowcases were also a specialty. Everyone in the family has a quilt made specifically for them by her because she was a master quilter as well. There were few things she couldn't do or figure out. Karen was always current on politics and loved to discuss them....and definitely had strong opinions!
More than anything, she loved Jesus. Though she battled MS for years, she put her trust in Him and continued on....and the days were long and difficult. Karen was stubborn and strong-willed and persevered anyway. Her family declares her victorious over that horrible disease. She read and studied her Bible daily. Many family events, big and small, were recorded in her Bible. Some days family members would get texts about things that had happened 'on this day'. Those, and she, will be missed.
Her girls and their guys and grandkids were the loves of her life, and they knew, without a doubt, that they were loved.... always. Karen always wanted to know how everyone was doing, and she was the family prayer warrior after the passing of Grannie. She was the very best mom, Meme, big sister, and friend.
On October 13, 2024, a beautiful fall day, Karen met her Jesus face to face and was reunited with her mom and dad, who precede her in death, as well as her nephew, Darren Gilmore. Though her family is heartbroken, they are so, so thankful for a nap in her chair, with her best dog Buster, watching football....that turned into laughing and talking with Jesus and her people. Thank you, Jesus!
Karen is survived by her faithful companion and rescue dog, Buster; two daughters: Lora (Hugh) Gustin, Butler, MO and Nancy (Landon) Simons, Ft. Scott, KS; five grandchildren: Sydney Cullison and Kinsey Simons, Ft. Scott, KS, "Main Man" Hayes Gustin, Caden Gustin, and Trey (Taylor) Gustin, Butler; two great-granddaughters: RaeLynn and Lorynn Gustin.
Also surviving are Karen's favorite siblings: Martina (Walter) Gilmore, Anita Smith, and baby brother, Jim Smith, all of Butler. Nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Jeff) Cox and boys, Cordell, Jake, Burke, and Reid; Curtis (Brenda) Gilmore and daughter, Adelyn Knipp; Zephaniah (Haylee) Smith and children, Brayden, Olivia, and Luke; Casinda Smith, Adrian, MO
Memorial donations may be made to Butler Educational Foundation or Bates County Health Foundation. Karen wanted to be a nurse or a teacher when she grew up. It didn't happen for her, but she got one of each through her daughters!
