Karen Velma Smith

Karen Velma Smith Age 53 Years of Victoria Gardens 
was called from this walk of life, at Doctors Hospital Nassau, 
New Providence, the Bahamas on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

She was born at Matthew Town Inagua, the Bahamas on 
Saturday, June 11, 1955. An obedient and mannerly child, 
Karen attended Inagua Public School where she excelled. 
At age 16, she expressed her interest in becoming a secretary 
and "Moma" (as she affectionately called her mother) arranged 
for her to go to Nassau to live with her now deceased Uncle 
Cardy and Auntie Helen to attend the Technical College.

Karen did extremely well, graduating with certificates in speed typing, 
shorthand, stenography and office procedures, landing a good position at 
Deltec Banking almost immediately. Karen took her secretarial skills to 
another level – she was a true professional, loyal, with superior administrative 
skills combined with a desire to elevate herself in her field. She also possessed 
the enviable great work ethic present in so many people originating from the 
family islands. Karen sharpened her skills in the 30+ years spent in the legal 
field at the law offices of Graham Thompson, Dennis Gomez & Co., 
Evans & Co. and the last sixteen years at McKinney Bancroft & Hughes.

In 1979, Karen married her long-time love Basil Deveaux. 
They spent many happy years together and their two beautiful 
daughters, Tia and Teisha are the fruit of their union. Karen's 
daughters were the apple of her eye. She hardly ever mentioned 
one without the other….Tia & Teisha, oh how she loved those two girls. 
She brought them up as ladies, always teaching them the 
values and principles to see them through this life. She was 
the consummate mother – their beloved "Nana" as they still 
refer to her - always sacrificing her own needs so she could 
afford them the best she could provide - especially with their education. 
Then Aidan came along. Who knew the impact he would have on their lives! 
A bundle of joy from the day he was born, Karen adored her grandbaby and 
he displays the strength of her indelible mark on his upbringing 
in his mannerly ways and sweet disposition.

Karen worshipped at Evangelistic Temple with her girls 
over the years and she led a spiritually balanced life – trusting 
God to see her through and He always made a way. Karen and 
the girls moved into their new house just over a year ago – it 
was her dream come true and Tia, Teisha and Aidan will continue to feel 
her presence in each room she proudly and lovingly decorated.

Karen will be remembered by those who knew her casually as a stately 
and graceful lady, with a unique style, a reserved demeanor, quiet and 
soft spoken. By those who knew her well, she will be remembered as the 
girl who laughed loudly with her sisters and friends, the woman who gave 
thoughtful and sound advice, who prepared the tastiest meals at the drop 
of a hat, who could have easily been an interior decorator, designing the 
most beautiful Christmas Trees, and making a house a home.

Karen is preceded in death by her:
Father: John Smith;
Brothers: Bertram and Floyd;

The Radiance of this "Pearl of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her:
Two Daughters: Tia and Teisha Deveaux;
One Grand Son:  Aidan Cooper;
Mother: Mrs. Juanita Mullings;
Five Brothers and Their Spouses: Cleophas "DooDoo" Mullings, 
Winston and Cleora Mullings, Theodore "Ted" and Jackie Mullings, 
Anthony and Barbara Mullings, Michael and Anna Smith;
Eight Sisters and Their Spouses: Mildred "Pinky" Walkine, 
Maxine Mullings and Raymond, Dellareece Darville and George "Bommer" Armbrister, 
Cindy Seymour-Davis, Blondie and Darren Robinson, Michelle Wells, 
Enid Williamson and Eleanor Rolle;
Six Uncles: George Darville, Aiden Burrows, Logan Beneby, Wellington, 
Aubrey and Thomas Smith;
Two Aunts: Bloneva Darville and Inez Smith;
Seventeen Nephews: Sharano Walkine, Winston Mullings Jr., Christopher, 
Neil and Shawn Rolle, Juraan Armbrister, Jarod Outten, Christian Davis, 
Jason and Lance Mullins, Giles Wells III, Duran Francis, Darren Robinson Jr., 
Jamal and Jarrell Williams, Andrew Bowe Jr. and Kruz Bonamy;
Seventeen Nieces: Merile Drullard, Pamela Walkine, Lauren, Lilith Bowe, 
Iris Mullings, Lorrieann Glinton, Wequel Nottage, Brickell and Mykah Smith, 
Odessa McKinney, Mikell Davis, Lauren Mullins, Durana, Gem and Enrique Francis, 
Joniska Williams and Destiny Rolle of Palm Bay, Florida;
Cousins: Dorcas Williams, Mary and Michael Minns, Dellie and Derrick Wells, 
Ivy and Jerome Knowles, Janet and Joel Underwood, Ruth, Eddie, Paul, Eddie, 
Shelly, Victor, Peter, Dr. Michael and Mrs. Suzy Darville, Mary and Gordon Rodland, 
Ida and Rafael Moxey, Patricia Hermanns, Godfrey and Rudolph Cunningham, 
Mrs. Sylvia Turnquest, Rev. Pastor Godfrey and Sister Barbara Bain;
God Mother: Mrs. Pearl Ingraham;
Other Loving family and friends including: Eloise Lightbourne, Tanya Kemp, 
Karen Laurenceau, Karen Sampson, Nathalie and Marguerite Cartwright, Nina Johnson, 
Kimberley and Johnny Smith, Kendra Laidlaw, Derry Strachan, Elise Nottage, 
Dennis Gomez, Basil Deveaux, Dr. Elliston Rahming, Management & Staff of McKinney, 
Bancroft and Hughes, Mr. Thomas Evans and staff of Evans & Co., Wendell G. Dean II, 
Police Sergeant Timmy Saunders, David Drullard, Andrew Bowe Sr., Police Corporal 2327 Elvis Curtis, 
the Nixons, Darville, Seymour, Symonette, Knowles and Wells Families.