Kara Alyssa Lee

Kara Alyssa Lee, 35, passed away May 2, 2018, at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Hospital after a long and courageous battle with lymphoma. She was born on May 15, 1982, in Knoxville, TN. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, David Yarnell, Betty Yarnell, and Helene and Earl Lee. Kara is survived by her daughter, the love of her life, Skylar; her parents, Lynda and Ken Hunter, and Byron and Kathy Lee; her sisters Katina Whitworth and Lehla McMahan; grandmother, Shirlene Yarnell; niece and nephews, Madison, Harrison, and Carter Whitworth; special uncle, Daniel Yarnell; special aunt, Wanda Russell; childhood best friend, Julia Helms; special friends, Tiny and Wayne Mink; kitties, Bobo, Tootie, Orange, Fluff, Flynn, Jinx and Binx, and Tiny Tina; and her pups, Abby and Nugget. Kara became a nurse right out of high school knowing that she wanted to take care of people in their greatest time of need. She cared for many patients in rehab and home health. She has also always been a lover of creatures big and small so after she was no longer able to work due to relapses and treatments, she became an avid supporter of Young Williams Animal Center where she fostered countless kittens until they found their forever homes (which sometimes happened to be hers!) Kara was well known in the lymphoma community and made friends all over the world. She never missed a moment to give someone advice or a listening ear. She mourned more losses than anyone should ever have to go through but it never stopped her from helping others in need. We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Owen O'Connor at Columbia University in NYC who was willing to take on her case when no one else would. He never gave up on her and gave her 9 more years with her family that she may have never had. We would also like to thank the staff of 6 Hudson North and Neuro ICU for taking such good care of her as ornery as she could be sometimes. To honor Kara's love for animals, consider making a donation to Young Williams Animal Center in her memory. The family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, May 9th from 6:00-8:00pm at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel. Family and friends will meet 10:45am Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery on Tazewell Pike at for 11:00am Celebration of Life service. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.mynatthf.com