Karen Smith-Walker

Karen Ann Smith Walker 75, longtime resident of Kansas City Missouri passed away of health complications the evening of Saturday, August 6, 2022 at KU Medical Center. Karen was born April 30, 1947 in Joplin Missouri to Mr. Percy Smith and Mrs. Corres T. Love Smith. Both parents preceded her in death.

She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. She would renew her relationship with Jesus and walk with him during her life's journey. Former Lincoln High School, of Joplin was where her educational community of peers would change after desegregation was instituted. Her stories of change, loss and adjustment were intriguing. And in true "Karen Ann" form...Karen adjusted and friends were made even in the hotbed of the 1960's. She marched with the drum majorettes at Joplin Senior High, played volleyball and softball became her game!  For those in Joplin who remember the show "Teen-Hop" she appeared on Joplin's version of American Bandstand, dancing the hour away in stylish joy.

In true spoiled fashion, she led the way being the first child of her neighborhood to have her own television in the 50's, she also enjoyed piano lessons, family gardening/playing with her grandfather Mr. Allen Love. She shopped with her mother, Mrs. Corres T. Love Smith, having her own account at Ramsay's...a locally owned forerunner to mall department stores. Karen's hometown of Joplin garnered her opportunities of health education and service in the medical industry. The medical field allowed Karen to begin to fulfill her life-long love of helping others.  She was employed by Freeman Hospital working in nursing. Her secret desire was to have become a physician. She transitioned to women's health working under the tutelage of Nurse Practitioner Doris Carson of Family Planning in Joplin Missouri, traveling to all connecting counties of Joplin. This was especially dear to her heart providing women in and around the outlying areas with necessary medical education, assisting with health care service procedures and providing products. While living in Kansas City Missouri Karen married Kermit Chris Walker and began a journey that would cover forty plus years of marriage. She graduated from an accredited Medical Assistant program that opened the door at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. Dr. Rodgers was the first African American board certified OB/GYN in the Kansas City area. With her new found  empowerment she daily walked her daughter Courtney to daycare and continued on to work. With goals in tact she walked right on to the nearest auto dealership purchasing brand new transportation.

Karen's employment ventures before her health was to take a grip on her life was with HAKC (Housing Authority of Kansas City) property management for the elderly. Finally she became director of 4-H (a youth development program) for one of HAKC's properties. Because of her love of children, her menu became a source of contention. It was prepared with enormous amounts of love and filled with a mother's home-cooked assortment...sending many children home filled with a tasty meal prepared with love, strength and hope for better days. ALL who knew Karen witnessed first-hand her long awaited personal fulfillment of motherhood to Courtney LeeAnn Smith. Hence, the doctor stated that she'd never seen their type of mother daughter bond. Karen shared parenting of Crista Foy with her baby sister Annette Foy and they also share grand baby Giovanni Nikko "Bonn" Foy.

Preceding Karen in death was Mr.. Emmett Foy whom her mother, Mrs. Corres T. Love Smith Foy married and three children joined the family; Janet T, Annette and Richard A. Foy.

Karen is survived by: Daughter, Courtney L. Smith; Daughter-Neice, Crista C. Foy; Grandson-Great Nephew, Giovanni Nikko Foy; Husband, Kermit C. Walker; Sister, Janet T. Foy Sister, Annette Foy; Brother, Richard  A. Foy; God-Neice, Marionna Wilson; God-Daughters:Carmelita, Desiree (Dee), Lisa, Larisha (Kreco), Garlanda (Gar), Tonya Beeks Todd. *Along with a numerous Host of others...male and female. She LOVED you ALL and certainly knows your names....who refer to her as "Mama" or "Mother Karen". You became jewels to her by reproducing even one principle of better living that you may have gleaned from Mrs. Karen Ann Smith Walker.

Karen's love of the Walker's and Franklin's...All the siblings,, nieces, nephews, elders, etc. whom she truly embraced and loved dearly. Your love for her as family gave her great joy, laughter and many times of pure joy...shhhh and a to go box of goodies.

Mama, (Cried her last tear) Yesterday, & Never would have made it, cause There's something about the name Jesus, (He saw) The best in Me, I Believe. As I look back over my life, I didn't know my own Strength, & I want to say Thank you, Jesus Lover of my Soul, cause I'm Changed, I love the Lord He heard my Cry. It Ain't Over (Til God says it's over). Sooooo, the Old ship of Zion, Take me to the King.