Karen Elizabeth Hamm

Karen was born on December 31, 1941, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she grew up with her parents, Bill and Elizabeth Hamm, and her two brothers, Billy (Charles) and Richard. She graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1960 and went on to earn her degree from McNeese State University in 1964.

Karen began her professional life as an elementary school teacher in Covington, Louisiana. She later moved to the Houston area, settling in Pearland, Texas, where she found her true calling as a librarian with the Houston Public Library. A lifelong lover of books, Karen considered this the perfect career fit. She devoted more than 25 years to the library before retiring to Ruston, Louisiana, to care for her beloved mother, Elizabeth. In later years, they moved to West Monroe to be closer to family.

Faith was an important part of Karen’s life. She was actively involved in her church communities in Houston and Ruston. After moving to West Monroe, she became deeply involved with Twin City Bible Church and later was a cherished member of Calhoun Presbyterian Church, where she was treated as family and loved dearly by her church family.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Bill (William) and Elizabeth Moor Hamm; her treasured grandmother, Ruth Welch Moor; and her dear childhood friend, Betty Everitt.

She is survived by her brother Charles “Billy” Hamm and his wife, Jennifer Hsiu Ching Lee Hamm, and her brother Richard Hamm and his wife, Hyesang Ju Hamm. She is also survived by her nephew William Hamm and his wife, Dara Hall Hamm, and their children Jacob Hamm, Callie Hamm Hale and her husband Devon Hale, and their children Danny and Cypress, and Samuel Hamm; her niece Carol Hamm Ellis and her husband Joe Ellis, and their children Colin, Aaron, Carson, Lilly Jo, and Joey; her nephew Benjamin Banbury-Hamm and his two sons; her close cousin Nancy Cooper and her daughters Jody Cooper and Jana Cooper Graham and their spouses and children; her cousin Victor Westcott and his children Kim Westcott Castle, Kevin Westcott, Kelly Westcott Fiesinger, and Charles Westcott and their spouses and children; and her dear college friend, Pamela Ralufs.

Karen was truly a character straight out of a book. She never married and had no children, but she lived a full and independent life. If you knew Karen for any length of time, you quickly learned that cats were her great passion. Her beloved cats, Reu and Jazzy, were like children to her and were lovingly spoiled. Her final year and a half in the nursing home was especially difficult, as she deeply missed them.

Karen adored her brothers, Billy and Richard, and treasured their weekly phone calls and visits. She spoke of them often and loved them tremendously.

She was surrounded throughout her life by wonderful friends who cared for her like family—friends who called and visited often, ran countless errands, and took her to appointments as her health declined. The family is deeply grateful for each of them. Karen’s church family at Calhoun Presbyterian truly embraced her in every way, and their love and support meant the world to her.

Karen was also completely doted on by the entire staff at Ridgecrest Community Care Center. The nurses, aides, laundry, and kitchen staff cared for her with exceptional kindness and compassion and were a true answer to prayer. The family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Ridgecrest Community Care Center and St. Joseph Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Karen in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery in Welsh, Louisiana, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

There will also be a memorial service for local friends & family in West Monroe at 2pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at

Calhoun Presbyterian Church

1567 US-80, Calhoun, LA