Karen Etella Whitt Stines, 72, of Mars Hill, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. She was the youngest daughter of the late Chalmers and Mollie Shook Whitt. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Bascom Sylvanus and Conley Hubert Whitt.

She retired from Square D company in 2005 after 33 years. She loved to read and spend time with her family. She was a member of Laurel Bend Baptist Church.

Karen is survived by her husband of 51 year, William "Bill" Stines; daughter, Amanda Martin; sons, Stephen and Jeffrey Stines; grandsons, Matthew and Zachary Martin; granddaughter, Ilaia Martin all of Mars Hill; sisters, Freda Buckner and Hattie Haney (Jerry), both of Weaverville; brother, Bennie Whitt (Christine) of Mars Hill; and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday April 26, 2026, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service in Mars Hill. Reverends Darrell Shelton and Danny Jenkins will officiate. Burial will follow in Nate Shelton Cemetery, Mars Hill.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the home of her daughter, Amanda, 482 Buckner Br. Rd.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.