At the age of 3, Stella’s parents died and she, along with her siblings, were raised at Carmi Baptist Children’s Home.Stella learned from an early age the value of hard work as it was a self-supporting facility at that time. She attended school there until going to high school in Carmi.
Stella worked at White County Abstract after graduation. She married the love of her life, James Edward (Eddie) Karns on March 1, 1953. Eddie enlisted in the military, and they were stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington and lived in Olympia where Stella worked at Georgia-Pacific. Stella returned to Carmi a short time before their first child was born as Eddie was still in the Korean War. Stella spent most of her life in the Carmi area, except for a few years in Alabama. Other places of work included Carmi Ainsbrook Factory, Carmi Queens Grill and Ball-Matsel Drugs. Her favorite job was taking care of grandkids and the “great” as she would say. “Nanny” helped prepare each one for life and school. Reading, writing, arithmetic, banking, sewing or tying shoes was a part of their time together.
You might have seen Stella at the ballpark. She was a gritty catcher on the first fast-pitch ladies softball team in Carmi and was not afraid to stand her ground at home plate. She was also in the stands as her husband umpired Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion and college baseball and she attended most all the games. In later years she and Eddie traveled taking a grandchild across the United States as she played fast-pitch softball. They were the Nanny and Papaw of the team. Stella’s love of sports didn’t stop there. She would go to any sporting event she could if a child, grandchild or great-grandchild was playing and if she couldn’t attend, you might find her watching sports on TV. She knew the rules of every sport and if you said something wasn’t fair, you might hear her telling you that “Life isn’t always Fair” while she quoted you the rules of the game.
You might have seen Stella at church. She grew up in the Baptist Church through high school. After marriage, she joined Eddie at the First Christian Church in Carmi and Alabama. Later in life she joined her daughter at the Carmi Church of the Nazarene where she brought delicious food for weekly Wednesday night meals. Stella’s favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This scripture was the embodiment of her life as she would tell all of us “Can’t never did do anything”. Stella lived a life of resilience, with the Lord’s help.
You might have seen one of Stella’s beautiful quilts, blankets, dresses or crafts. She was an excellent seamstress and regularly patched up people’s clothing as she used to patch up her families’ knees. Mom, AKA Nanny, made a quilt for every child, grandchild and most of the great-grandchildren.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Melita (Kenneth) Sloan of Holts Summit, MO, Brent (Denise) Karns of Norris City, IL and Denise (Frank) Elliott of Carmi, IL; grandchildren include Nicole (Clay) Inboden, Kendan Elliott (Meg Hensley), Jared (Magon) Karns, Jacob (Ashley) Elliott, Lesley (Brian) Ray, Joni (Aaron) Holmes, Rachel (Steven) Jensen; great grandchildren, Andrew and Colton Inboden, Prestyn, Ethan and Isaac Karns, Trent and Mariah VanMatre, Gabrielle and Mason Ray, Stella Jade, Landen and Addison Elliott and Wren Holmes. She was also blessed with several great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Linda Boren, her life long friend.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings, Gerald Groves, Loren Groves and Lula Mae Wright.
Funeral services for Stella Karns will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi where we will celebrate the tapestry of her life. Burial will be in Kitty Sweetin Cemetery near Springerton, IL. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025 from noon to service time at 2:00 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stella’s memory to We Love White County, Arrows or Sack Lunch Program and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W. Main St., Camri, IL 62821.
The family would like to thank special caregiver, Sandy Stokes and the Wabash Senior Living Staff.
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