SOUTH POINT — Karen Elizabeth Burwell, 57, of South Point, formerly of Ironton, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, after an extended illness.

The Ironton native was born Sept. 23, 1953, the daughter of Carolyn Henry Burwell of Ironton and the late Judge Lloyd W. Burwell.

Karen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ironton, the Ohio Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association.  She graduated from Ironton High School, Ohio University  and Ohio Northern University of Law.  She practiced law in Ironton from 1979 until 1994. From 1994, until her retirement in 2008, Karen was employed by the Social Security Administration, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Huntington, W.Va.

An avid golfer, airplane pilot and softball player, Karen was fondly known to her many friends as “Buckeye.”

Karen is survived by her mother, Carolyn; a sister Nancy Burwell Sleem of Gahanna; and her husband, Paul Sleem; a niece Melissa Sleem of Gahanna; two brothers, Louis and David of Columbus; and her life partner and dedicated friend, Jenny McDowell of South Point.

In place of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Karen’s name to Hospice of Huntington,  1101 Sixth Ave., Huntington, W.Va. 25701

A memorial service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Dr. Wayne Young officiating.  Friends may call Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family and to view the video tribute, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.