Karen D. Ellis Whitehead

She will be laid to rest at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Karen was born on December 4, 1944 in Frederick, Oklahoma to the late Calvin L. Doyle and Vivian P. (Ulrich) Doyle. She was born into a large family and had many experiences growing up on a farm. She moved to Fort Worth to attend Commercial College where she met and later married Dennis Ellis on November 25, 1965. In 1972 she moved to Abilene following her husband’s career. They were married until his sudden passing in 1987. She was a devoted home maker during the early years and a devoted mother to her two daughters. She eventually went back to work as a counselor’s secretary at Jefferson Junior High School and then into an administrative role at Cooper High School for AISD. She was a longtime devoted member of Elmwood West Methodist Church where she was involved in several church groups. She had been a faithful Sunday School attendee and enjoyed the fellowship with her church family.

In 1998 she met Buddy Dalton Whitehead. The two married on May 19, 2000. Karen was a wonderful Christian example of a life in service to others. She devoted herself to taking care of her family and all their needs. She also enjoyed gardening and working in her yard. She loved all her family especially her grandson Michael, who held a special place in her heart.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dennis Ellis; her brother, Richard Doyle; sisters, Marilyn Claunch and Wiletta Schrick.

She is survived by her husband Buddy Whitehead of Abilene, daughters, Michelle M. Ellis of Abilene and Krista L. Beaver and her husband Mike of Granbury; her grandson, Michael W. Beaver; stepdaughter, Margaret Whitehead; brother Leroy Doyle; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.