Karen Yvonne Cortellesi was born May 16, 1960 in Waynesboro. She was the daughter of the late Margaret and Frank Cortellesi, and Willie Skelton.

She spent many years at Lincoln Brass and then on to Wayne County Bank as a bookkeeper. She loved her flower garden and chickens and supporting her girls and grand babies in all their endeavors. She departed this life for her final resting place on February 26th, 2024, at the age of 63 years.

She is survived by her husband Charles Cortellesi of Waynesboro, and her three daughters, Mendy Stricklin Beason (Micah Bachtold) of Hohenwald; Amber Stricklin of Waynesboro; and Megan Stricklin of Jacksonville, Florida, her stepdaughter Heather James and her husband Frank of Russellville, Arkansas. Her three sisters Kathy Smotherman of Waynesboro; Helen VanAlstine and her husband Gene of Cocoa, Florida and Joyce Reynolds and her husband Richard of Cocoa, Florida. Her brother Steve Skelton and his wife Donna of Waynesboro, 4 grandchildren Tori and Travis Usery, Colton Beason and Addison Kimbrel, Ryker Stricklin, and Christina(Roe) Sandefur-Stricklin and 2 great grandchildren Briar Usery and Evelyn Beason. She is also survived by several loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation was held on Saturday March 2, 2024, at Shackelford Funeral Home in Waynesboro. Services followed visitation. Interment was at Memorial Garden Cemetery in Waynesboro.