On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 – at 7:06 a.m. – Karen Dawn Wagner of Robbinsville, N.C. took her last breath, at only 57 years old.
Karen was born to Sue Cotsirilos (Phillips) and Joseph Wagner on April Fool’s Day, 1964. She spent the first 13 years of her life splitting time in between Chicago and North Carolina, but permanently settled in the Smoky Mountains.
However, her love for Italian beef sandwiches – a Chicago staple – did not waiver.
Karen was tough and gentle, wild and tame, tragic and blessed, street smart and strong willed. She could connect with anyone and saw the good in everyone. She believed in the power of prayer and the meaning of family.
Although she never married or had any children of her own, she remained close with her nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Sue; father, Joseph; and siblings, Kenneth, and Angela.
She is survived by her nieces, Oscea Wagner and Anastasia Brauer; and nephews, Donovan, Joshua and Dustin Wagner.
The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at the Townson-Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will follow at Lone Oak Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to help with funeral expenses. Donations can be made to the funeral home or the Go Fund Me page via Facebook.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wagner family.
An online register is available at townson-smithfuneralhome.com.