Karen Joy (née Duncan) Weems of Cuba, Missouri was born on April 14, 1954 in Hillsboro, Missouri to James Benjamin and Anna Jewel (née Anderson) Duncan and passed away Jan. 23, 2026 at the age of 71 years.
She grew up in Sullivan, where she spent most of her life before making her home in Cuba.
She worked 22 years at Meramec Industries before entering the medical field as a med tech, where she worked at Cuba Manor for 19 years until retirement.
Karen was a gifted pianist and singer. She played and sang in church throughout her life. She recorded an album with her sister and friend David Beaty.
She loved family gatherings, cooking hearty meals, and summer days spent at Indian Creek.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; son, Michael; one grandbaby; sisters, Fern (Buddy) Stroup and Joyce Corbett; sister-in-law, Sheila; and mother- and father-in-law.
She is survived by her daughter, Karina Rice and husband Joe; grandchildren, Drew Weems of Cuba, Missouri, Benjamin (Krystal) Britton of Independence, Missouri, Aaron (Jade) Weems of Sullivan, Missouri, Clayton (Tiana) Rice of West Plains, Missouri, Hannah-Lynn Weems (Daniel) of St. Robert, Missouri, Tristan Rice of Cuba, Missouri and Aiden Rice of Cuba, Missouri; bonus grandchildren, Victoria (Ben) Beiker, Nasser (Heidi) Kabbi, Nate (Bella) Fisher-Gilespy and Jenna (Jack); great grandchildren, Macey, Jadelynn, Haylee, Jaden, Aubrie, Kaytee, Lexi, Charlie, Gabriel, Annaleigha, Truston, Kyzler, Karson, Rhemi, Aaceton, Cooper, Waylynn, Tayzlyi, Colton, Jay and Molly Jo; bonus great grandchildren, Carson, Max and Ava; siblings, Neil (Mary) Duncan of Sullivan, Missouri, Neva (Dave) Cassidy of Steelville, Missouri and Rhonda (Tom) Hibbitts; in-laws, Kathy (Danny) Dotson of Cuba, Missouri, Ruth (Al) Brannum of Muncie, Indiana, Raelynn of Muncie, Indiana, Richard (Kelly) of Muncie, Indiana, Denise (Chuck) Little of East Prairie, Missouri and Darrell Weems of East Prairie, Missouri.
Visitation held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Covenant Praise Church of God with Pastor Dane Corbett, Pastor Jeremiah Wilson and Pastor Dan Barksdale, officiating.
Interment following at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Mizell Funeral Home & Crematory in Cuba, Missouri.
