Karen Vanessa (Bethel) Cash

Karen Vanessa (nee Bethel) Cash, 62, of Ridgedale, Missouri went home to be with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on December 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born in Sallisaw, Oklahoma on April 13, 1962 to Hubert David Bethel and Elsie Lorraine (nee DuBuc) Bethel, along with a twin brother, Kerry. She grew up in the countryside west of Muldrow, Oklahoma, enjoying horseback riding and helping out on the farm. She attended Muldrow Public Schools where she participated in girls basketball and was part of the 1980 State Championship team, as well as being on the High School Dance Team. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Reiny Cash. Their relationship began a journey that would span over 45 years, producing 3 children, and impacting countless lives along the way. In 1983 she completed the LPN program at Westark Community College in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and continued practicing nursing for over 8 years. In August of 1983, she and Reiny were married at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The couple had their first child, son Kelvin, in 1986. Moving to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1989, Reiny completed an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering while Karen worked as a nurse at the Stillwater Hospital. Moving to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1991, the couple continued their family with the birth of their second child, a daughter, Kristen. Moving again in 1998 to the Branson, Missouri area, a third child, daughter Kendra was born. In each of these locations, Karen was active in serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was the central figure for planning family reunions and holiday events. Karen was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Elsie Bethel; sister, Debra Rogers, and both sets of maternal and paternal grandparents. She is survived by husband, Reiny; son, Kelvin Cash and daughters, Kristen and Kendra Cash of their Ridgedale, Missouri home, brothers, David Bethel of Muldrow, Oklahoma, Doug Bethel of Gans, Oklahoma, twin brother, Kerry Bethel of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and brother, Chris Bethel of Mulberry, Arkansas. 

Funeral Service for Karen will be at 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Lee's Chapel Cemetery in Muldrow, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Active Pallbearers will be David Bethel, Doug Bethel, Kerry Bethel, Chris Bethel, Tres Rogers, Brannon Bethel, Andrew Bethel, Jonathan Bethel, Tyler Carlile, Drake Davis, Chris Carlile and Huston Bethel. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be her brothers, David Bethel, Dough Bethel, Kerry Bethel and Chris Bethel. 

Viewing will be 1 - 6 PM Friday, January 10th at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date at First Baptist Church in Branson, Missouri.