Karen West O'Connor

KERNERSVILLE - Karen West O'Connor, 55, departed this life peacefully into glory Thursday, November 29, 2012 surrounded by her loved ones at Duke Hospital. She was a graduate of East Forsyth High School, where she was the valedictorian and a soloist with the madrigals. She earned the opportunity to tour Europe, singing under the direction of Mrs. Maxine Blackwell. She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, with a B.A. in Languages and M.A. in Speech Pathology. Karen had a brilliant mind and a beautiful spirit. She was a lady of many interests, a lover of the arts and UNC sports, and was dedicated to her strong Christian faith. She loved nothing more than her two daughters, Devon Blair and Jessica Laine, and her granddaughter, Hatley Grace, who was the light of her life. Also left to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Harold and Mary Ragland West, her sister, Amy West Madenberg (Steve), nephews Levi and Satchel Madenberg, all of Long Island, NY, and her dear aunt, Carol Bennett. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 2:30 pm Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Kernersville Wesleyan Church with Rev. Phil Hulen officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel. A private graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr., Greensboro, NC 27407, or the Shepherd's Center of Kernersville, PO Box 2044, Kernersville, NC 27285-2044, where Karen enjoyed volunteering her time. Her family finds comfort in knowing that their precious Karen forever rests in her heavenly home. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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