Karen Minta Smitley West

Karen Minta Smitley West of Marietta went to be with the Lord on Oct. 25, 2025 at Muskingum Skilled Nursing in Beverly, Ohio, surrounded by family.

She was born Jan. 28, 1949, in Austin, TX, to Ivan, Sr. and Gloria Smitley. She was a graduate of Newport High School. Karen was a caregiver for several years before becoming a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate for Eve, Inc. She had a passion for helping others. She enjoyed watching game shows, playing Bingo, coloring, painting and doing word search. She especially enjoyed being with family and friends.

Karen is survived by a son, Ronald (Sherry) West, Jr., daughter Shelly (Missy) West; brothers: Ivan (Rosie) Smitley, Jr., Phillip (Geneva) Smitley, Matt (Paulina) Smitley; sisters: Raelynn (Roger) Barnett, Alesia Smitley Barger, Gina (Bill) Creighton, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and beloved pet, LB.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald West, Sr., parents, grandparents, brother, Darrel Smitley, sisters, Mary Alice Smitley and Vivian Davis, a nephew, several nieces and her beloved pet Kiki.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 pm at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with burial following in Newport Cemetery. Family will greet friends before the service from 11:00 until 1:00. Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.

The family extends a special thank-you to Muskingum Skilled Nursing and Buckeye Hospice for the care they had given Karen and also to Matthew McGee for always making her smile.