On Saturday, June 12th, 2021, Karen Cornelia Smith Athey, loving wife and mother of three children, passed away at the age of 80.
Karen was born on December 29, 1940 in Sulpher Springs, Texas. She met and married Bill Athey in December, 1957. After having three children they moved to Tyler, Texas in 1967 to settle down there and raise their children, Billy Hulon Athey, Jr., Ann Elizabeth Athey and Julia Catherine Marshall.
She and her husband were local business owners in beautiful East Texas. Karen was loved by everyone and never met a stranger, lighting up the room wherever she went. She had a free spirit and loved to travel, including Ireland and around the Santa Fe desert. Karen is survived by her daughters Ann Athey and Julia Marshall, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents Betty Henninger and Hugh V. Smith, husband Bill Athey, Sr. and son Billy Athey, Jr.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 10:00am at Rose Hill Cemetery.