Karen Smith

Karen Lee (Dickson) Smith, 82, of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House, surrounded by loved ones.

A celebration of life event for Karen will be held on July 3, 2025. Please view the celebration of life details at:https://facebook.com/events/s/karen-smith-celebration-of-lif/977424857836732/.

Karen was born in Monaca, PA, on August 16, 1942, to Robert Donald Dickson and Myrna Eliza (Miller) Dickson. She attended Slippery Rock State College, graduating in 1964, and pursued a career in Elementary Education. On July 15, 1967, she married her husband of 57 years, William (Bill) Robert Smith. Karen was raised in Aliquippa, PA, and after marrying Bill, they moved to Michigan, where they settled in Milford and raised their two daughters, Heather Rae (Smith) Wisnieski and Cheryl Lynn (Smith) Milton. After retiring, she moved to Chesapeake, VA, to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren, in 2015 she and Bill moved to Emerald Isle, NC.

Her passion was educating the younger generation. Karen retired from Huron Valley School District in Michigan in 2003 after supporting the school district's children and families in various roles. Throughout her life, Karen was active in her community and church. She supported the endeavors of her daughters, volunteering a large amount of time and energy to support Milford Bethel #68, the International Order of Job’s Daughters, and the Lakeland High School Marching Band Boosters organization. Karen loved being a grandmother to her four grandchildren and championed them in whatever activity they were involved in. When her busy schedule allowed, Karen loved to garden, read, play cards, and host family or friends in her home. While living in Emerald Isle, she was a member of the Emerald Isle Garden Club where she was active in the Green Thumbs community outreach program, and she also volunteered at Silverdale Elementary School in Maysville.

Karen is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Smith, sister, Cheryl Purdie Youd (Milford, MI), Frank Youd (Milford, MI), her daughters, Heather Wisnieski (Amissville, VA) and Cheryl Milton (Carmel, IN), sons-in-laws Dale Wisnieski (Amissville, VA) and Terry Milton (Carmel, IN). Her four grandchildren, Alexandra Wisnieski (Charlottesville, VA), Myah (Wisnieski) Good (Williamston, MI), Addison Milton (Plainfield, IN), Maxwell Milton (Carmel, IN) and Spencer Good (Williamston, MI). She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Donald Dickson, and Mother, Myrna Miller Dickson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House in Karen's memory. You may donate at https://www.crystalcoasthospicehouse.org/giving-memorials/

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.