Karla Kay Herring

Karla Herring (50) of Claremore, OK was born November 24, 1969, in Enid, OK and passed away December 17, 2019, in Tulsa, OK. She was a kind and compassionate woman who found joy in helping and caring for others. Her smile lit up a room, and she was loved by so many people. She loved life and fought so hard battling breast cancer in 2004. She was considered in remission for 15 years before a new breast cancer was found in 2019 which had spread to her brain and lungs within the year, Karla was a strong courageous fighter; however she ended up being in a battle she just couldn’t win. Within the last year of her life, Karla made sure she lived life to the fullest, spending her precious time with those she loved most and taking a family vacation. Putting her toes in the sand for the first time and visiting Disney World with her grand babies made her so happy during this difficult year.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Clark; father, Carl Smart, Sr.; brothers, Carl Jr. Smart and Brian Smart.

Karla leaves many loving memories with her family, significant other, William (Bill) Phillips; daughter, Amerrica Whitfill and husband, John; sons, Michael Herring, John Herring; grandchildren, John (J.R.) Herring, Alexander Whitfill, Zoey Whitfill; sisters, Dina Roton and Tina Green; brother, Wesley Smart. Karla also had many others in her extended and blended family that she cared for deeply and consider her own. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We will forever remember her in our hearts and love her always.