Karen Smith

Karen Elaine (Ryall) Smith born April 15, 1958 to Helen and Ken Ryall in Windsor, Ontario Canada, passed from this earth to join her sister in God’s Kingdom on November 16, 2014. Beloved mother of son, Shawn Dustin Smith and daughters Crystal Lynn and Jennifer Ann Smith. Beloved sister of Bill Ryall, Janice (Ryall) Avery, preceeded in death by her younger sister Linda Ryall. She will be sorely missed by all. She was a bit headstrong, determined and also secretive is a good way to describe her. She never wanted to put anyone out and kept so many things to herself including her health. Painted quite the rosy picture to our parents and family when asked how she was doing or feeling. Helping out at the church, with the kids in the after school program. Going to the doctor and telling everyone that he said all was good, even just over a week ago! Stubborn family genes, probably the English and Scottish in us, and of course the French too..,Never wanting to be a bother or be cumbersome to others. She decided she or everyone else was better off with her staying out in Richmond which was just far enough distance away that family couldn’t just drop on in to check on her. She played basketball and volleyball for Alief Hastings, and graduated in 1976. She spent a lot of time away from family when she married the second time, her husband Robert was in the army. Some of their time was spent in Germany where she traveled to be with him with a young son and a daughter on the way. She had to learn to be independent while there, not understanding the language and trying to get by. Then back to Killeen after the stint in Germany and on the base at Ft. Hood. She worked at the Luby’s in Killeen where death passed her by on that horrible day, October 16, 1991, 23 years and exactly one month ago today. It was a Wednesday I believe, and when I heard the news my heart stopped. Come to find out that happened to be her day off and although she was safe she lost customers and workers that had all become good friends of hers. Linda and Karen like 2 peas in a pod, riding motorcycles, defying danger, living on the edge. Many a night I know my parents were kept awake wondering what those two were up to. Many a night I worried and wondered about them also. They are now together, I know more than anything Karen missed Linda and had a hard time getting over her passing last year. I was lucky enough to spend most of this past Thursday with Karen, this was when she was still conscious. They had her hooked up to all kinds of things. We were able to talk and visit for the better part of the day while doctors and nurses were in and out, doing this and that. She was so thirsty and I was getting her Sprite, water, juice, whatever I could get my hands on. I had them lined up on the tray by the bed. I fiddled with the bed enough to get it down some, where the tray would reach over and be beside her. She kept telling me what to do..lol She said oh I know I am so demanding.. I said that’s okay sis, whatever you need me to do. I told her I loved her when I left and she replied the same although she had a hard time getting the words out. That was the last time I saw her awake. The trickery and shenanigans those two are up to now, I can only imagine. Keep them by your side God, I know they are both safe and free and are in your house for eternity. Until we meet again and always, your loving sister, Janice