With heavy but grateful hearts, we announce the passing of Karen Lyn Akers Mathis, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. In her lifetime, Karen was distinguished by her devotional love to family. Her love for her grandchildren was magical and was visible in everything she did. She was the foundation of her family and an example of what we can all aspire to be. Her faith in the Lord leads us to cling to Him for comfort, in her absence, and know that we will be back together someday. Knowing that she is hugging her son Ronald, Jr., once again, is the ultimate consolation. Aside from family, Karen’s other love was teaching. She held a bachelor’s degree in education from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in education from West Virginia University. In Colorado, she taught Spanish but made a switch when she moved back to West Virginia in 1980. She became a kindergarten teacher at Berlin McKinney Elementary School, where she taught for 28 years. Her impact on tiny minds was significant, as she led with kindness and valued shaping children’s educational futures. Encountering her former students while running errands in town was one of her favorite things. Karen is preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Jeanne Akers, brother Dan Akers, as well as her only son, Ronald Mathis, Jr. Karen sis survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Ronald Mathis. They shared a love that started out with a wink at a football game, included quite a colorful story, and grew to include years of devotion to each other and their family. Also left to cherish her memory are her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Mathis and grandchildren Christin Young (Adam), Kelsey Mathis (Tyus Wood), Trey Mathis (Rachel, and Zack Mathis (Katie). She was a proud great-grandma to Kalyn Diegert, Miles Young, Delaney Wood, Karter Wood, and Clayton Mathis. Karen is also survived by brother Bill Akers (Sandy) and Mark Akers (Carla) as well as a host of close extended family, and friends. A funeral mass will be held at noon on Monday, June 8th, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in South Charleston, WV with visitation at 11 am. There will also be a celebration of life from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, June 10th in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Karen’s honor to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Catholic Charities of West Virginia. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.