Karen Hite Carter was born in Beckley, West Virginia to Charles F. and Barbara W. Hite. Her parents moved she and her brother, Charles F. Hite Jr. to Huntington, West Virginia where a sister, Margaret Hite was born. The family thereafter relocated to Lexington, Kentucky where Karen continued her education until graduation from Lafayette High School in 1956. She was a proud Lafayette graduate and was a long time Chairwoman/Co-Chair of the 1956 Class Reunions.

She continued her education the next four years at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Physical Education, participating with the synchronized swim team, and joining the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She remained a lifelong UK Athletics Fan and enjoyed attending football and basketball games while her health permitted. She continued to follow the Cats on radio and television.

Karen met Nick Carter, and started dating, in the eleventh grade, became engaged in 1960, and thereafter married on June 3, 1961, and had 2 children, Kelly C. Carter and Katherine D. Carter. Karen was responsible, and gets all the credit, for raising them both.

Karen worked all of her life initially, as a teenager selling newspaper subscriptions and thereafter, to pay for her education, at UK Bookstore. After leaving school, she worked at the First Security National Bank and Trust Co. after which she took on the 24 hour a day job as a Housewife and Mother. She devoted the last 63 years of her life to her family.

Karen was a long-time member of the Metropolitan Woman’s Club where she served multiple terms as President. She especially enjoyed participating in the production and presentation of the annual Miss Lexington and Miss Metropolitan Scholarship Pageants. She remained active organizing the annual MWC luncheons.

As a member of Spindletop Hall, she enjoyed family summers swimming and playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis and dining with family. She also was a snow skier and especially enjoyed playing bridge with “the girls”. Karen looked forward to the annual South Carolina beach vacations with family and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her daughter, Katherine. She is survived by her husband, daughter Kelly, constant canine companion, Caitlin, and many friends. All survivors will miss her dearly but are grateful for being blessed with the time they were fortunate to have her as a wife, mother, and friend. Although we regret losing her, we will remember and treasure the legacy of the good times and memories we enjoyed together.

There will be a visitation on April 17, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon with a celebration of life service immediately thereafter at Milward-Broadway, 159 N. Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky.

Please, in lieu of flowers, consider donating to a charity of your choice in her memory.