Karen Ann Williams

Karen Ann Williams, age 68, of Independence, MO, passed away at home on July 25, 2021, of natural causes.

She was born in Lexington, MO on February 23, 1953, to Marie D. Mason (Baltimore, MD) and Ernest C. Smith (Lexington, MO).

Karen worked for Gateway Packaging for over thirty years.

She was a serious collector of Victorian Tassel Dolls, china teacups and saucers, spun glass, purses, bears, and more. Her family is sure that given the chance, she would have begun a collection of hedgehogs as she had a unique connection with them.

In November of 2019, Karen moved into her son (Ronnie) and daughter-in-law’s (Tina) home to be cared for, and her claims that she didn’t like animals were disproven when she soon became inseparable from the Smith cats: Lily, Zoe, and Violet.

Karen is preceded in death by her mother and father, daughter Laurie Harris of Kansas City, and older brother Ernie Smith of Kansas City.

She is survived by her daughter Sherry Shafer (Jeff) of Flower Mound, TX, son Ronnie Smith (Tina) of Independence, MO, sister Mary Robinson (Lance) of Holt Summit, MO, brother Bob Smith (Pam) of Raytown, MO, sister Deborah Russell of Independence, MO, brother Larry Smith of Shawnee, KS, and husband Fran Williams of MO. Grandchildren — Anna Ventimiglia (Alex), Zac Smith, Devlin Harris, Michelle Parsons (David), Eric Robertson, and Francesca Robertson. Great Grandchildren — Ava, Xander, Kinsley, Aurora, Luca, and Augustus.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org).