Karen Gillispie Miller, 80 of Raleigh, passed away June 11, 2022 surrounded by family. She was born August 31, 1941 in Brookfield, Missouri to the late Benjamin and Ellen Fern Gillispie Ratliff. Karen was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Raleigh, and former owner of the Branding Iron Steakhouse and Karen's Travel Cart Catering. Known as the "Hot Dog Lady", she served and sold hotdogs for many years at the Fayetteville Street Mall Downtown. Karen enjoyed gardening, collecting and refurbishing antiques, yard sales, and being with family and friends. She also helped many as a sponsor for recovery. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one infant daughter Raylene, and infant brother Jerry Joe Gillispie, two sisters; Donna Bailey and Margaret Payne, and her step-father Wesley Blunt.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son Todd Joseph Miller of Raleigh, two daughters; Kelly Patterson and husband Marcus of Wendell, and Tammy Pieno and husband Johnny of Wilmington, two sisters; Jean Shoop and Judy Taylor both of Missouri. In addition, her seven grandchildren, Seth, Shane, and Spencer Patterson, Taylor and Jason Schumann, Simone Thigpen, Jill Miller, and two great-grandchildren Evelyn and Theodore Thigpen.

A funeral service celebrating Karen's life will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel, burial will follow in Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Saturday afternoon at the funeral home.

Montlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park of 2911 S. Wilmington St. in Raleigh is serving the Miller family