Karen Beth Tyree

Karen Beth Schmiege Tyree went to her rest on November 2, 2024. Karen was born on July 15, 1945, in Texas, and was adopted by Malcom & Helen Schmiege. She was a member of the Mt. Ida Seventh-day Adventist Church and was an active member until the last year. 

She is survived by her brother Ron (Ella) Schmiege, and her children: April (Brett) Randall, Curtis (Jeanne) Meaders, and Anthony (April) Threet. And her 12 grandchildren: Ashely (Mark) Killman, Allison McDonald, Amanda (Marc) Casinillo, Teresa Raw Jones, Kimberly (Travis) Landes, Amanda (Eric) Borror, David Threet, Jasmin (Christian) Ilsemann, Michael (Jamie) Wilkes, Billy Christian, Ricky (Jennifer) Wilkes, and Gary (Sarah) Wilkes. And her 20 great-grandchildren: Jayden Killman, Ayren Killman, Archer Killman, Tony McRae, Marquise Butts, Travis Landes Jr, Nathan Landes, Kyle Landes, Tyler Borror, Ellie Borror, Kimberly Ilsemann, Aaron Ilsemann, Logan Miller, Julian Wilkes, Jack Wilkes, Kale Smith, Kahne Smith, Kalynn Davis, Kelssi Davis, and Kimberly Wilkes. With one great-great-grandchild on the way. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, son – John Wilkes, and past husbands – Jerry Wayne Meaders, Raymond Wilkes, David Threet, and Joe Tyree. 

During her life, Karen lived in a number of places including Tennessee and Alaska. When she was a young woman she worked at Mckee Baking Company, Collegedale, TN. cooking up those famous Little Debbie snack cakes. Karen also drove heavy equipment machines for the Civil Service while living in Alaska. Among some of Karen’s favorite hobbies was sewing and making quilt tops. One of those projects was when she designed a quilt with classic cars on it for her great-grandson Jayden. Several of the family got involved in that with daughter April creating blocks and granddaughter Amanda C. doing the embroidery. Then friends of the family put the whole quilt together. 

One interesting tidbit is that Karen and her brother Ron were adopted by her parents, Malcom and Helen Schmiege. Her mother Helen was also adopted. And in turn, Karen adopted April and her brother Anthony. Later on, Anthony adopted his stepdaughter, Amanda. So it’s a family of Adoptees! Karen loved family and will be greatly missed by the family and her friends. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Mt. Ida Seventh-day Adventist Church at 3:30 p.m., with a visitation at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Mitch Elrod officiating.