of Searcy, AR
August 13, 1940 - December 17, 2025
Karen Ann Churchill was born to Kenneth Robert and Allene Genevera Wells Smith on August 13, 1940, in Woodward, OK. She grew up with her sister, Jaynie, and brothers Dennis and Steven on a farm west of town. She knew God at an early age, looking to her grandmother Wells and her parents for that example. Later in life, she knew that it was in those moments that her relationship with the Lord was building and indeed her life became a witness to God's saving grace.
During her senior year at Woodward High School, in 1958, Karen served as Miss Woodward and was names as Woodward's candidate for Mis Homecoming at Northwestern State College. She was also Peppers treasurer, was in chorus and attended Girls States for three years.
Following graduation from high school, on July 4, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Arthur M. Churchill and remained his beloved wife for 67 years, until her passing. Unto this union they were blessed with three children, Kaylon, Robert and Bradley. Karen was dedicated to raising all three children, in the faith, as members of the United Methodist Church during their time in Alva, OK. In 1988, at age 48, Karen and Arthur embarked on a career change as directors for retirement communities across the state of Texas, ultimately bringing them to Searcy where they were directors at Harding Place until they retired.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Allene Smith, brother Steven Smith and daughter-in-love Kathryn Churchill. She is survived by her husband Arthur M. Churchill of Searcy; three children, Kaylon (Churchill) Gwinn and husband Michael of Bradford, AR, Robert Churchill, of Port Richey, FL and Bradley D. Churchill of Alva, OK. Karen is also survived by her seven beloved grandchildren, and six beloved great grandchildren, her younger brother Dennis Smith and wife Ann of Norman, OK and her younger sister Jaynie (Sissy) Smith of Oklahoma City, OK along with her many nieces and nephews and many beloved friends including her church family.