Karen H. SMITH Obituary

Karen H. Smith of 162 Winifred Road, Leesburg, GA died Friday, March 2, 2007 at her home. Karen Harbin Smith was born in Tifton, GA on September 29, 1957. The second daughter of Charles and Wilma Harbin, Karen was an accomplished piano player and at the young age of eight played in her church and by the time she was nine she was playing in weddings. Karen excelled in school graduating from Tift County High School, ABAC Junior College in Tifton, and the University Of Georgia with a Masters in Business Administration. During this time period she was also Miss Tifton and intern with Senator Herman Tallmadge in Washington, DC. She started her business career with Gold Kist in Moultrie, GA as the Organizational Manager where she traveled the S.E. district of Georgia and north Florida. She then went to work with TRW in Thomasville, GA as Training Coordinator. Wanting to move to Albany where she attended Albany Bible Church, she took the position as Business Manager of OBGYN Associates for a number of years where while investigating new equipment for the practice she underwent a mammogram which revealed the cancer that she fought for 16 years. She completed her business career at Alarm Services, Inc. as general manager/partner with her husband. Karen became a Christian at an early age and in 1999 began going into the Dougherty County Jail to tell the female inmates about the good news of Jesus Christ. After her disease made it difficult to continue her jail ministry she told the Lord "If you will send them, I'll tell them" and God was faithful to sent many. Every Tuesday night at 7 pm the yard at her house filled with cars as women both young and old showed up eager to hear the words of life. She had her last Bible class Tuesday Feb. 27. Karen and her husband were instrumental in starting the Young Life ministry in Albany and that led to her teaching "Campaigners" which is a study designed for high school students who desire more in-depth study. She taught these every Thursday evening in her home. When she could she attended their functions at school and was always ready to lend them support. Survivors include her husband of 25 years, Ernest Smith of Leesburg, her mother and father, Wilma and Charles Harbin of Tifton, GA, her sister and brother in law, Charlene and Ray Rackley of Perry, GA, her sister and brother in law, Lisa and Bill Darby of Jacksonville, NC, her stepdaughter, Mandy Smith and Stephanie Smith of Charleston, SC and stepson and his wife Reed and Jennifer Smith of New Bern, NC, and four nieces and a nephew. Karen taught her last Bible class this past Tuesday evening and in honor of Karen a memorial service will be held at Gillionville Baptist Church, 4608 Gillionville Rd., Albany at 7 pm on Tuesday evening, March 6th. Those desiring may make memorials to the Lost and Found Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box72205, Albany, GA 31708 or Albany Bible Church, 100 Grand Island Dr., Albany, GA 31707. The family will receive friends Monday, 6 to 8 PM at Kimbrell-Stern

Karen H. SMITH Obituary

September 29, 1957 - March 2, 2007