UNION, WV --- Karen Dransfield Mitchell, age 88 of Union WV, died peacefully July 19, 2023, surrounded by her children. She was born at home in Oceana WV on February 15, 1935, the third and youngest child of Glen and Dixie Cook Dransfield.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Arbie Glen Dransfield; her brother-in-law French Holt; her son-in-law John Feury; her son-in-law Jeffrey B. Cutter; and her husband Buddy Mitchell.
She is survived by her sister Isabel Dransfield Holt of Lexington KY; her sister-in-law Betty Shanklin Dransfield of Union; her children: Mary Feury of Hollywood WV, Tom Mitchell of Union, Jane Peirick and husband Scott Peirick of Gap Mills WV, and Lynn Cutter of Union; her grandchildren: Lukas Feury of Savannah GA, Lora Feury of Portland OR, Kylie Mitchell of Morgantown WV, Ivy Mitchell Morgan and husband Garrick Morgan of Organ Cave WV, Lilly Cutter Hanson and husband Travis Hanson of New Orleans LA.
Layna, Lucy, and Langston Morgan of Organ Cave are her great-grandchildren. Karen had many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her family shared holidays, vacations, and special times with the Mitchell, Wickline, Dowdy, Loudermilk, Dransfield, Holt, and Cook clans. Her large family was dear to her heart and she kept up with their joys and sorrows, children and grandchildren.
She was a talented musician and had a beautiful singing voice. Karen played the piano and the organ, serving at the Presbyterian churches of Union and Greenville as organist for over 20 years. She was a member of Centerville Presbyterian Church in Greenville WV. Her favorite Bible verse was chosen from the Old Testament: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Karen was a professional photographer, specializing in black and white portraits and scenic photos. As a charter member of the Monroe County Historical Society, she provided research, published articles, and copied historical photographs for their archives and books.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5 at Groves-Mann Funeral Home in Union WV, beginning with visitation at 11 a.m., a Celebration of Life service at noon, and followed by graveside services in the Carmel Cemetery of Gap Mills. Lunch will be served in the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall next to the cemetery.
Flowers are welcome and donations may be made to Hospice Care, 1265 Maplewood Av. Lewisburg WV 24901. Those wishing to send the family online condolences or would like to sign the online guestbook, please do so by visiting www.groves-mann.com Arrangements by Groves-Mann Funeral Home, Union, WV.