Karen Schwartz

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home with Roy Meksch officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 6-8:00 PM, also at the funeral home.

Karen was born on January 2, 1946, in Higgins, Texas, to the late Fred William Helmke and Gladys H. (Gaisford) Helmke. She was raised in Friona, Texas, Shattuck, Oklahoma, and eventually came to Abilene. She graduated from Cooper High School and went onto attend Business College. She married Arthur “Lefty” McMillan, Jr., and together they had two children Christy and Craig, whom they raised in Abilene. She worked in several industries before retiring as a clerk at John Herold GRC. She married Carl Kenneth “Ken” Schwartz on May 22, 1999. Karen and Ken were devoted members of Harvest Baptist Church for many years. Karen’s faith and family were her foundation. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a source of much pride in her life. She enjoyed crocheting, yard work, and gardening. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and Nonnie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husbands Carl Kenneth “Ken” Schwartz and Arthur “Lefty” McMillian, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter Christy Chamberlin and her husband Robert and her son, Craig McMillan; grandchildren Kyah Collins and her husband Paul, Mason Chamberlin and his wife Kama; numerous great-grandchildren; one aunt Darlene Shelite; and numerous cousins, other relatives, and friends.