Karen Ree (Garriott) Gater

Karen Ree (Garriott) Gater passed away peacefully at Heartford House Hospice of Western Kentucky surrounded by loved ones on February 28, 2026. Karen spent her last few years at Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation in Owensboro, Kentucky. She was 86 years old.

Karen was born on June 10, 1939 to Lotus Davidson and Helen Katherine (Mead) Garriott in Canton, Indiana, just outside Salem, Indiana. As a young child she and her family moved to Salem where she lived with her parents and her maternal grandparents, Harry and Mazo Mead. Karen attended Salem Grade School and was a member of the Salem High School Class of 1957. During high school she had many friends, and she was a majorette in the marching band and an active member of the thespian club.

On June 28, 1958 Karen married her high school sweetheart, Charles Bernard Gater. Karen gave birth to her first daughter, Kelly Lynn Gater, on June 29, 1959. Kelly suffered from cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. So, in 1966 the little family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Kelly had been accepted into the Binet School. On April 10, 1970 the family welcomed a second daughter, Teresa Dawn. Karen, along with Charlie and Kelly, lived in Louisville until 2006 when they moved to Owensboro to be closer to Teresa and her family.

Karen’s first job was as a bookkeeper and customer service representative for the Texas Gas Company’s office in Salem. After moving to Louisville, she became the bookkeeper for Jeffersontown Water Company. In the late 90’s, J’Town Water was absorbed by Louisville Water Company. Karen worked for LWC until her retirement in 1999, where she was the customer service supervisor.

Christmas decorations, true crime stories, scary movies, and shopping were some of Karen’s favorite things. She had an eye for decorating her home, which she always took pride in. Karen was known for her funny personality and ability to command a room. She loved being the center of attention! You were never bored in Karen’s presence. She was one of a kind.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charlie Gater, daughter Kelly Lynn Gater, father Lotus D. Garriott, her mother Helen Garriott, stepmother Geneva Garriott and her brothers, Jay Davidson (JD) Garriott who died at the age of 4 before Karen was born, and her little brother, Michael Blaine Garriott, who died in infancy. She was also preceded in death by sisters-in-law Norma Rison and Shari Gater and brothers-in-law Lyle Milner and Gary Gater.

Karen is survived by daughter Teresa (Gary) Smith of Cloverport, granddaughters Emily (Trenton)Tully, Rebecca (Parker) Walthall, all of Louisville, Cara (Seth) Pence of Philpot, and great- grandson Graham Allen Pence and a great-granddaughter, due in April. Also surviving are sister in law, Carol Ann Milner and Karen’s nephew and nieces Mike Jackson and Lisa (Dave)Johnson of Williamsport, Indiana and Traci (Dave) HIll of Vincennes, Indiana. Mike, Lisa and Traci spent many summers of their childhood at the Gater house and had a very special place in Karen’s heart. Several great and great, great nieces and nephews also survive.

Services will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory in Owensboro, Kentucky. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a brief service beginning at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like expressions of sympathy to come in the form of donations to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. A special thank you to the staff at Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation in Owensboro whose staff have lovingly cared for Karen, and for Charlie and Kelly before their deaths, for several years.

Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.glenncares.com.