Karen Mae Gamblin Kirkwood, 62, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville.

She was born on August 27, 1962, in Madisonville, KY, to the late Dorothy Ashby Pierce. She graduated from South Hopkins High School. She retired after eighteen years as a manager from Silver Star in Madisonville. Karen enjoyed cooking, baking, crafting, reading, gardening, and traveling. Her greatest love was spending time with her family, especially her great nieces and great nephews. Karen leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, compassion, encouragement, and faith. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Karen was a member of Word of Faith Christian Center in Madisonville.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Debbie and Mary.

Her survivors include her husband of thirty-five years, David J. Kirkwood; sister, Lori (Gary) Littlepage of Mortons Gap, KY; two nieces that she considered her children, Latausha (Ronald, Sr.) Western and Tanja Wills, all of Madisonville; sister-in-law, Cynthia Hall of Madisonville; brother-in-law, Donald Kirkwood of Madisonville; host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and several great nieces and great nephews.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Word of Faith Christian Center in Madisonville with Pastor Marvin Hightower officiating. Burial to follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Madisonville. Harris Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

A visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour Saturday at the church.

The pallbearers will be Chris Price, Steve Cheirs, LyDon Logan, Leonard White, Henry Snorton, and Nathan Bowman. The flower girls will be Shanell Blake, Becky Ellis, Deidra Hightower, Erica Price, Raven Western, and Gina Wilkins. The junior flower girls will be Kennie Price, Tressalynn Ellis, and Tressayia Ellis.

Memorial contributions may be made in Karen's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or call 1-800-805-5856.