Karen Elizabeth Merlo

Karen Elizabeth Merlo, 75, of Celina, TX, formerly of Fort Smith, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. She was born on February 22, 1947 in Jersey City, NJ to the late Frank and Ethel (Roper) Walker. Karen was retired from Fort Smith Public Schools, where she worked for 27 years as a cook in the school cafeteria. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith where she served in the children’s ministry. In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Charles Merlo.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, December 29, 2022 at First Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.

She is survived by two daughters, Debbie Arnn (Allen) of Celina, TX and Dawn Weber (Mike) of Van Buren; her sister, Linda James, of Van Nuys, CA; three grandchildren, Emmaleigh Ortiz (Marcos), Alex Arnn and Susannah Arnn, all of Texas.

Public viewing will be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church Pre-School and Children’s Ministry, P.O. Box 609, Fort Smith, AR 72902 or go to www.fsfbc.org