Karen Smith

Springtime “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” My name is Karen Smith, affectionately known as “Special K.” I had a peaceful spirit and a beautiful soul. I was born on March 14, 1959, to the union of Tom and Bettie Smith (Grammy Smith preceded me in death). Although I was the second born of five children, I was the first to be born in Chicago, Illinois. Every summer, my family would frequent back home to Blytheville, where I ran freely through Big Momma’s garden, taking a bite off all the tomatoes and throwing them back to the ground—thus earning me the nickname “Chubz.” I was a bright child—very, very smart! Fierce, even! Growing up on the West Side of Chicago, I attended Spencer Elementary School and graduated from George Westinghouse VHS at the age of 16. Summer “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” My siblings and I accepted Christ at an early age, calling ourselves “Drug Babies”—because we were drug to Sunday School, drug to Morning Service, drug to Evening Service (where our family group would perform), and even drug to church on weekdays! My spiritual journey began at St. Peter MBC under the leadership of the late had a heart for helping others. Rev. Burton. After our family group disbanded, my love for choir singing continued at churches like Bethlehem Star and Sweet Holy Spirit. But singing wasn’t the only way I served. Whether as a church secretary, a member of the f inance committee, or handing out bookbags during back-to-school drives, I My greatest role in service, however, came when my eldest son, Bishop DuShawn T. Smith Sr., was ordained as the pastor of Greater Christian Love MBC. I hung up my choir robe quick and found the biggest nurse’s hat I could wear—because I was a proud momma! I picked up parishioners for church, gave them rides home, and if my pastor had to preach six services in one day, my dedication wouldn’t let me stop until I served him at all nine! (I said what I said! Autumn ) “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” I didn’t meet strangers. I either flashed my big, bright smile or caught you off guard with a quick-witted response, but either way—you knew you were in good company. Over the years, I worked several jobs, but three stood out the most. First, The Windy City Word, a West Side local newspaper, where I served for many years as Editor-in-Chief under Ms. Mary Denson. I took the lead in coordinating the famous and much-anticipated annual back-to-school parades along Madison Street. Second, I spent nearly 30 years at Featherfist before retiring as a case manager. My clients weren’t just names on a list—I cared. If they needed a tough talk to get them on the right track, they got it. If they needed a moving truck to get into Precious Memories a home, I rented one. They knew they mattered to me.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Smith, please visit our floral store.