Waynesville, Karen Lynnette Smith Cook, age 50, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2011 at St. Joseph Campus.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of Kenneth E. Smith of Waynesville and the late Robbie Green Smith. She was a self-employed insurance agent and also employed at Joey's Pancake House. Karen was selfless in all that she did, always placing family and others above herself. She was filled with love and will be remembered for her kind-hearted selfless nature, wonderful sense of humor, and dedicated work ethic. "She is our family's saving grace, and we owe it all to her."

In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband of 31 years, Keith Cook; one son, Justin Cook and his wife, Emily, of Graham, North Carolina; two daughters, Amanda Cook Jones of Waynesville and Jessica Lindsey Cook of the Bethel Community; her mother-in-law, Zanie Cook and family, of Candler; one sister, Tracy Plemmons, of Waynesville; one brother, Rusty Smith and his wife, Barbara, of Pueblo, Colorado; three grandchildren, Abigail Lynnette and Savannah Mae Jones and Grayson William Cook; nieces and nephews, Ashley, Andrew, Caleb, Joshua, Noah, and Abbey Smith, Allison Carver, and Laura Ledford; great nephew, Jack Carver; and Beans "BooBoo" her special miniature Yorkiepoo.

A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Woodland Baptist Church with Reverend Alan Davis and Reverend Kent Lowdermilk officiating. Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:45 p.m. prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Karen's Love Fund, c/o Champion Credit Union. Karen's Love Fund will help with the needs of the community in Karen's memory.