Karen Skrmetta Smith

Karen Skrmetta Smith, age 61, longtime resident of Biloxi/Gulfport and resident of Orlando, FL for the past 11 years passed away in Atlanta on November 9, 2018 after a long battle with brain cancer. Karen was born in Biloxi, MS on April 22, 1957 to John Skrmetta and Verda Skrmetta (nee Abshire). Karen attended Sacred Heart High School in Biloxi and received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. For the last ten years, Karen was a bright light at Sand Lake Elementary in Orlando as a first-grade teacher. Karen, above all, loved spending time with her family, especially her son, Jason and her late husband, Stan. Karen was active in the Orlando community as a tutor and reading instructor. Her passion was helping young children learn how to read. She went above and beyond her duties as a teacher. She also loved to come back home to the Coast to hit the casinos and spend time with her mother! Karen is predeceased by her father, John, and her husband, Stan. She is survived by her mother, Verda, her son, Jason, and her grand-dog, Mona (who she spoiled rotten). Services will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street in Gulfport on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m. for friends. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in McHenry, MS.