On the humid Louisiana morning of May 30, 2018, we lost the beautiful soul of Karen Michelle Borne. Karen’s life began with tragedy in Memphis, Tennessee on November 14, 1988 as she came into this world on the heels of her father’s untimely death. Though she was placed in the protective arms of her mother, Julie Borne Smith, personal tragedy seemed to follow Karen throughout her life. And it is in the grips of that shadow we must now say goodbye to our daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. Karen was a happy but stubborn and persistent baby, walking at eight months and speaking in full sentences by two years old. That stubbornness and persistence never faltered throughout her twenty-nine years. Neither did her love for animals, her profound adoration for her Mawmaw Donna, and the light she emanated even in her darkest hours. Karen unexpectedly left many hearts shattered and lost, but none more broken than that of her family: daughters, Tayla Micole Borne (12), Madalynn Grace Nichelle Lilly (6), and Kaori Ana (adoptive parents, David and Stacey); mother, Julie Borne Smith; father, Johnny Smith Sr.; sister, Ariel Nicole Berthelot (Mario); brothers, Blaine Michael Borne (Candace) and Johnny Smith Jr.; grandmother, Loveita Lee Smith; aunts, Anna Stevens Matson, Carol Hosmer Smith (Brian), and Pamela Hosmer Carter (Bruce); uncle, Johnny Hosmer; niece, Marley Elise Baldwin; cousins, Amber Stevens, Gina Lanclos Robin (Anthony), Misty Stevens, Ronald Smith, Lindsey Smith, Josh Guitreau, Dakota Guitreau (Lauren); godchild, Destiny Marie Stevens; honorary sisters, Jaimie, Jessica, and Jennifer Simoneaux; and honorary uncle, Charles Templet. Many more extended family and friends will ache for the loss of Karen for years to come. Gone before her is her biological father, Larry Babb Jr.; maternal grandmother, Donna Borne Stevens; maternal grandfather, Ronald James Borne (late Louise Hosmer Borne); grandfather, Sidney Wallace Smith; great-grandmother, Eunice Borne; and cousin, Shawn Michael Stevens. A wake for Karen will be held on Wednesday, June 6, from 5 – 9 pm at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales. It will resume on June 7 at 9 am with service at 11. A funeral procession will take us to the Killian First Baptist Church Cemetery, in Killian, where we will lay Karen to rest. Everyone who knew and loved her is welcome to say goodbye. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the family for funeral costs - https://www.gofundme.com/Funeral-Expenses-for-Karen-Borne - Karen’s light always shone no matter the darkness on her road, and now we must find our way through our own darkness as we learn a life without her.
