Karen A. (Smith) McElravy

Karen A McElravy, 77, formerly of Chicora, passed away on October 31st, 2024 in Cedar Park, TX due to complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Born in Gowanda, NY on January 15th, 1947, she was the daughter of Walter J Smith and Violet Martha Krzemien (Anglifed to Carmen).

A nearly 50 year resident of Chicora, Karen was a multi-talented woman who excelled at anything she put her mind to accomplishing. She was an avid gardener, cook, seamstress, and general craftswoman. In her younger years she made the family’s clothes, canned, and made her own Christmas ornaments, other holiday decorations, and general decor.

And cookies. Hundreds and hundreds of cookies.

She is best known for her work at her company Spider’s Den, a motorcycle leather good manufacturer. From design through manufacturing, she had an unparalleled knack for detail and creating 3D patterns by unaided eye. Her custom-fitted leather chaps brought in customers from hundreds of miles away. She certainly didn’t mind doing the inseam measurements for the handsome men, either. Cut once, but measure a half-dozen times first. Just to be sure.

True to her form, after selling the business and ‘retiring’ in 2005, she got bored after a few months and started a second mini-career at Lowes in Butler in the paint department which lasted until 2015.

A talented and generous hostess, her holiday parties were epic, as she made the most delicious food and no one left hungry. The summer Spider’s Den parties are still remembered to this day. It is rumored a couple of them are case studies for police training.

Most of all, she enjoyed visiting her grandchildren, who called her MiMi, whom she tried to visit as often as she could until her illness took hold in 2018.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Rick, who unexpectedly passed in July, her parents, an unnamed stillborn brother, and several very close cousins.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shannon (née Tefft) and Clark Janes, her granddaughter, Catherine, and Aggie grandson, Ian, of Cedar Park, TX, as well as several cousins and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please donate to CurePSP.org in memory of Karen. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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