Karen Sue Trotter Elley

Karen Trotter Elley of Hermitage TN, born Karen Sue Corbitt, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the age of 76. She was born on April 6, 1946 in Nashville. Karen’s mother passed when she was a young child of age 6 and she was then raised by her maternal grandmother in Robertson County. She graduated from Jo Byrns Highschool in Cedar Hill, TN in 1964.

Karen was a loving and kind wife, sister, second mom to her beloved stepchildren, and friend to many. She is remembered for her humor and ability to touch the hearts of those around her through her many accomplishments as a comedian, author, screenwriter, and editor.

Karen was an accomplished and skilled creative writer with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Her areas of expertise include humorous writing, screenwriting, children and adult fiction, as well as nonfiction. Her work included interviews with written profiles, featured articles, book reviews, thoughtful essays and inspirational articles. Her articles and essays were published in local magazines and newspapers such as The Tennessean, Toledo Blade, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Christian Science Monitor and others.

Karen enjoyed writing freelance for special sections promoting the Southern Women's Shows in several newspapers across the country (Michigan, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Nashville and others). Her press releases and special section articles highlighted businesses and brought public awareness to the communities she served.

In her later years, Karen’s passion was writing her first book, “BLISS: An Adult Fairy Tale,” which was published in 2017. Her second book, “ANGEL MESSENGERS”, is near completion and set to be released this Spring.

Karen was preceded in death by her Mother, Bessie Mae Durham; Father, Frank James Corbitt; Sister, Gail Corbitt; and Maternal Grandmother, “Mam” Durham.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Elley; Sister-in-Law Patty Elley; Stepdaughter April Brandenburg and husband Phillip Brandenburg Jr; Stepdaughter Cheryl Trotter; and Stepson Charles Trotter Jr and wife Jean Trotter.

Family and friends are invited to attend her Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living Nashville; 6705 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209. Reception to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/nashville-cremation for the Trotter Elley family.