Karen M Jennings

Karen M Jennings, 73 of Goose Creek, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Trident Medical after a recent insidious decline in her health.

She was born in Riverside, California, the second of four daughters to Lt Colonel Ernest Irvine Melin and Ethel Martha Melin. Karen was the prankster of the family, and relished playing practical jokes on family and friends alike. She was smart, witty and known for her extensive vocabulary borne from a love of literature. Also she had notable culinary skills (and boy she could really mess up a kitchen).

She graduated from Sanderson High School in Raleigh NC in 1970. After high school, Karen entered the working world starting at Goodmark Foods. While working for Bank America, she transferred to Asheboro, NC. There she met her future husband Michael and they married in 1982. They welcomed their son Jon in 1984. Eventually, the family moved to Goose Creek, SC where she continued to dedicate her time to her family. She will be forever remembered by signing off her conversations with "love you more".

Karen is preceded in death by both her parents and her sister, Peggy Melin. 

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Michael; her son, Jon Jennings; and grandchildren, Colette and Harland. Additionally, she is survived by two sisters: Nancy Hall (Jim), and Dr Susan Melin (Bill Jenko); nieces: Andrea Armistead (Dan) and Melinda Hall (Brooks Westbrook) as well as their children. She is also survived by multiple cousins. 

There will be a celebration of life at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation Of America.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.