Karen Castle Meade Stone

Abingdon, VA - Karen Castle Meade Stone, 59, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital after a brief illness.   

Karen was born in Bristol, Tennessee; daughter of Roy F. Castle and the late Jean A. Castle of Castlewood.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Stone and brother-in-law Ed Evans. Karen was a cardiac nurse at CVA Heart Institute for the past several years and currently served as the Heart Failure Coordinator.  Prior to that she spent time as a traveling nurse, worked on BRMC 3West, and as a nurse manager. 

Karen was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and collecting old quilts, but most of all, loved being MiMi to Jacob.  Karen lived life to the fullest and had an infectious personality and a fierce determination.  She never backed away from a challenge and always found a way to help others, whether friend, family, or patient. She loved her patients and made sure they and their families were cared for, just as if they were family.  She gave freely of her time, her talents, and even her opinions.  You always knew where you stood with Karen! But, if you were lucky enough to be her friend, you were lucky enough! Karen never met a stranger; probably the reason her nickname at a young age was Chatterbox.  

She is survived by her daughter, Erica Meade of Abingdon; son, Dillon Meade of Castlewood; grandson, Jacob Meade of Castlewood; her father, Roy F. Castle of Castlewood; sister, Pam Evans of Salem; niece, Brooke Caldwell and husband Jake of Salem; great nephew, Kaleb Caldwell of Salem; her furry children Simba, Runner, and Daisy; and a host of special friends, neighbors, and work family.

Visitation with the family will be held 2-3 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022, in the Main Street location of Farris Funeral Service.  A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Travis Price and Dillon Meade speaking. A special ceremony by the Appalachian Nurse Honor Guard will start the service.

Many heartfelt thanks to some special people for their care during Karen’s illness.  Betty Thomas, Tanya Keller, and Teresa Bott who were there to support the family while at the hospitals and the ICU Care Teams at Johnston Memorial Hospital and Wake Forest Baptist.  The excellent care, compassion, and friendship of these individuals will forever be appreciated and remembered.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider showing appreciation or doing something special for your favorite nurse or the nursing staff at your local healthcare provider.   “Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription” – Val Saintsbury

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.  The family of Karen Castle Meade Stone is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.