Karlene Ray Smith
Karlene Ray Smith, 78, formerly of South Whitley, died at 3:55 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 at the Paramount Senior Living, Bethel Park, Penn.
She was born Dec. 14, 1937 in Cleveland Township, Whitley County, a daughter of the late Walter Herbert and Catherine May (Stoner) Ray. Her formative years were spent in Cleveland Township. She graduated from South Whitley High School in 1956.
On June 30, 1956, she was united in marriage to Charles Richard Smith from Warren. After living in Lafayette and attending Purdue University and then Indianapolis until 1967, they made their home in Greensburg, Penn.
She earned her Bachelor Degree in Home Economics and Elementary Education from Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Penn. Karlene had a fulfilling career teaching various elementary grades at Mt. View Elementary School and Latrobe Middle School. She taught in the same school district they lived in, so taught many of the neighborhood children. Parents and students both loved Karlene and wanted her as their teacher. She retired from Greater Latrobe School District, Latrobe, Penn. in 1997. She wrote and published childrens books, family cookbooks and teachers science instructional manuals.
Following her retirement, she and her husband traveled all 50 states and spent several months in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Europe. Karlene had a special artistic eye for photography and documented all their travels throughout the United States and around the world. She enjoyed sewing and quilting. There are dozens of treasured quilts Karlene made for her two granddaughters. She was an active Sister of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, Tent No. 56 in Pennsylvania.
Surviving is her husband of sixty years, Charles R.; their two children, Jeffrey R. (Susan) Smith, Pittsburgh, Penn.; and Cathy Jane (Jeffrey R.) Gamble, Coraopolis, Penn.; two grandchildren, Rebecca Smith and Kelly Cora (Joshua Lockwood-fiancé) Nestman both of Pittsburgh; sister, Alice Ray Wilson, Farwell, Mich.
Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial will be in the South Whitley Cemetery following the visitation.
Preferred memorials are to Seven Oakes Hospice Care, 2941 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227.