Karen Spivey Dallas

Karen was born in 1951, the second of six children born to Jim and Beulah Spivey. She spent most of her youth in Greensboro, North Carolina before attending NC State University where she met her future husband. Karen and Walt were married after their junior year. Karen graduated with a degree in science education and taught high school sciences for two years before they moved to Seattle where she worked as an analytical chemist for Weyerhaeuser. She realized her dream of being a full-time mother when Matt was born in 1979.

After a two year stay in the San Francisco area, the Dallas family moved back to North Carolina and built a house in Cary which they called home for 44 years. Karen and Walt experienced the joy of a new family member when Sam was born in 1990. After Matt graduated high school, Karen became a homeschool mom, teaching Sam academics and schooling him in the Christian faith and worldview. Once Sam graduated, she channelled her time into creating beauty through gardening, flower arranging, and monogramming.

As the number of her grandchildren grew, the call of nurturing them in the truths of her faith in Jesus became a focus of her time. She wove her love of faith, family, and flowers together by creating several picture books which are already beloved keepsakes. Karen also trained in biblical counseling at The Shepherd’s Church and invested in several women through the ministry because she wanted to “speak the Word of God into people’s lives.”

A highlight of each year for Karen was the annual trip to Ocean Isle Beach with the Spivey family. It began as a small group in 1982 and eventually totaled more than 40 people and 4 generations.

Karen’s gentle, gracious, caring spirit and love of beauty, truth, and the Lord will be remembered by all who knew her.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Jim and Beulah Spivey, brother Jerry Spivey, and brother Jeffrey Spivey.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Walter Dallas of Cary, NC, who faithfully and lovingly cared for her during her cancer journey. She is also survived by her sons Matthew Dallas of Raleigh, NC and Samuel Dallas (Kaitlin) of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren Jemma, Hayley, Sienna, Luke, Owen, and Mason; her brother Greg Spivey (Helen) of Oklahoma City, OK; sister Dana Spivey Mims of Charlotte, NC; and brother Stowe Spivey of Willow Spring, NC. She is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3:30 pm at Mountain Rest Cemetery in King's Mountain, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 3:00 pm at The Shepherd's Church in Cary, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to Transitions LifeCare - 250 Hospice Circle - Raleigh, NC 27606.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Karen or a message of condolence to her family, you may do so below within "Add a Memory".