Cover photo for Karen Nolan Bell's Obituary
Karen Nolan Bell Profile Photo
1954 Karen 2024

Karen Nolan Bell

January 18, 1954 — February 10, 2024

Karen Nolan Bell, 70, born on January 18, 1954, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

A devoted mother and friend, Karen always put the needs of others before her own.  With a soul full of JOY, Karen lead a life full of art, music, writing, and fellowship.

From coal-mining town Harlan, KY, to bustling New York City where she sang at Carnegie Hall, across many different homes around the country, Karen was constantly writing, and her stories are included in several anthologies.  Eventually, her talents brought her to the Hindman Appalachian Writers’ Workshop, an exclusive invitation-only seminar - even before she had published her first book!  Encouraged by the workshop and the incredible friends she met over the years in church or in other writing classes, Karen published her book, Above the Fog, in 2018.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents: Alberto and Gertrude Nolan, and Brother, Larry Adkins.

Karen is survived by her “Awesome Son” Stephen and his wife “Sweetie” Theresa; Sister, Tammy Nolan-Bailey; and several beloved cousins and extended family. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered for her JOYful nature, her delight in good times with those she loved, and her enduring and unwavering faith through her hardships. 

A memorial service will be held on March 23rd, 2024 at 3PM at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home in Harlan, KY. Visitation will beheld from 2PM to 3PM.

 She was loved everywhere she went, and even in several places she’d never visited, so the service will be streamed online for all who loved her to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army in memory of Karen.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Nolan Bell, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, March 23, 2024

2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

Mount Pleasant Funeral Home

122 N Cumberland Ave, Harlan, KY 40831

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Memorial Service

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

Mount Pleasant Funeral Home

122 N Cumberland Ave, Harlan, KY 40831

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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