Karen Lee Kirkendall-Black

Karen Lee Black, 60 of Caldwell, Idaho, died Sunday November 24, 2024 at home with her husband at her side.

A memorial service is being planned and the date and time will be announced to family and friends in the near future.

Born Karen Lee Kirkendall on January 9, 1964 in Baltimore, Maryland. Karen was the daughter of Jimmie Ray Kirkendall and Marion Fay Smith.

Although Karen had achieved many talents throughout her life, she loved caring for people most. Karen was a Graduate of Glen Burnie High School class of 1982. Karen also attended Anne Arundel Community College where she was awarded Special Honors for outstanding Academic Performance leading to a place on the Honors list of the College in 1990. Karen also attended college at Carrington College in Boise, Idaho as well as the College of Western Idaho in Nampa. Karen and her family moved to Boise, Idaho from Maryland in 2012. During her 12 years in Idaho Karen achieved many Certificates and accomplishments in the medical field as well as the Transportation Industry. Karen was an Idaho State and Nationally Certified Phlebotomist Technician, Certified Nurses Aid, Certified Med Tech and held an Idaho CDL class A and class B driver’s license. Karen loved to drive School Bus and Semi Trucks just for a change of pace.

Karen suffered numerous medical issues since childhood to include open heart surgery at the age of five. Karen also endured a lifelong struggle with Mental Illness without professional care or treatment as there is none for those stricken in our country and certainly not in Idaho!

Karen is preceded in death by her best friend and adopted son Bakin, her father, Jimmie Ray Kirkendall, her sister Cathy Salem, her grandfather and grandmother and her uncle Clarence whom she dearly loved.

Karen enjoyed fishing and hiking and traveling with her husband Billy. She loved to cook and refurbish old furniture.

Karen had two previous marriages. John Hollingsworth for approximately one year and Kenneth Snyder for approximately 27 years, both Baltimore, Maryland area.

She is survived by her loving husband Billy Lee Black of Caldwell, Idaho, Mother Marion Zulty of Boise, Idaho, her younger brother Dale Kirkendall of Arnold, Maryland, her son John (Jack) Hollingsworth and his beautiful family in Indiana, her daughter Katelynn (Meal) Snyder of Maryland and her daughter Raechel (Ling) Snyder of Maryland. Karen adored all three of her children and was extremely proud of them and their life accomplishments. In addition, she leaves behind two grandchildren, Fynn and Sofie in Maryland and granddaughter June and grandson Holden in Indiana, and her nephew Rashid Salem of Texas and cousin Mary of Maryland. Karen is also survived by 4 stepchildren and 12 step grandchildren, and 5 step grandchildren.

Karen loved her family, and she loved Jehovah who I’m sure has received her into his loving arms. We will all miss her love and beautiful smiles until we meet again!

Until then, we can all light a candle, plant a tree, and do all we can to save the children!

Donations can be given to the State Humane Society or the Stanton Healthcare Crisis Pregnancy Center of Meridian, Idaho in Karen’s memory.

If you know someone who suffers from Mental illness, listen to them, help them, love them.