Karen Sue Smith, 82, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away peacefully at Reid Health on April 16, 2025, following a brief illness.
Born and raised in Wayne County, Karen dedicated her life to serving others and remained a part of her community throughout the years. Karen operated a group home for many years through Dunn Mental Health, providing care and support to those in need. Even after closing the group home, her passion for helping people never waned, and she returned to work as a caseworker, continuing to make a difference in the lives of many until she retired.
She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Janice Dawes, her sister Connie McClure, daughter Kim Carter, and son Steve Hull. Karen is survived by her husband Kim. She is also survived by her loving sister, Marteen Dawes & her partner Sue Cunningham; her devoted daughter, Jef Bengal; son Joe Shiplett and his wife Kelly; numerous grandchildren that she loved immensely, Toby Hull, Dusty Carter and his wife Jamillah, John Bengal and his wife Lyndsey, Matthew Bengal and his wife Makenzie, Faye Bengal, and Alexis Shiplett. Karen also had many great-grandchildren that she absolutely adored: Aiden, Nora, Lucille, Jackson and John Bengal, Christian and Ziva Carter, Jamison and Isaac Hull, and Zander Olivares. She also leaves behind nephews Brian & Steve McClure, former daughter-in-law Amy Shiplett, and very special friend Tim Suttle, as well as many other cherished friends.
Her family honored her life with a private service, reflecting on the legacy of kindness, dedication and compassion she leaves behind.