Karen Arnold

Karen was born in Bluefield, WV to Clifford and Edith Arnold on July 25, 1950. Karen married Raul Bautista-Vazquez on March 8, 2022 in Denver, CO. She graduated with highest honors from National Business College of Bluefield, VA with an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science and supported many businesses and medical offices with bookkeeping, insurance billing, and office management. She was also a talented vocalist, singing along-side her sisters for many years at Calvary Baptist Church. She later served Carr Memorial Methodist Church as a pianist and devoted member of the choir. In the 90’s she became a Certified Nursing Assistant and beloved piano teacher in Wytheville, VA.

Karen is preceded in death by her brothers Wayne Arnold, Bud Arnold, Phillip Arnold and Don Arnold, sister Rita Shelley, and her mother and father, Edith and Cliff Arnold.

Karen is survived by her husband Raul Vazquez, her daughter Ruth Carpenter, son-in-law Bob Carpenter and their son Bobby Carpenter, her daughter Rachel Worley, three sisters—Evon Peery, Sharen Helms and Cindy Blevins, three step-daughters—Diana Bautista de Loyola, Melissa Bautista de Loyola, and Analis Howell, and her step-son Christopher Daven Howell.

Karen had a way of connecting with each person in a way that very few can— the active listener, with care and compassion evident in each and every expression or word, listening not only to what you may be saying, but also what you are not. She was your ultimate Prayer-Warrior if you needed one, and studying the Bible was of great importance to her. She would often share stories of the books and passages from the Bible that she learned from her father. Moments shared with Karen would leave friends and loved ones feeling heard and understood, validated and appreciated, worthwhile and honored. Those closest to Karen enjoyed the walks down memory lane the most, and whether you shared a few good laughs or a good healing cry, your cup was running over with joy from the quality time.

There will be no funeral services. To honor Karen’s wishes, immediate family members will gather at a later date in celebration of life and distribute her ashes atop East River Mountain, where Karen has beautiful childhood memories of time spent there with her family.

Donations in honor of Karen may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. (Karen’s page (https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8848871&fr_id=154020&pg=personal)) Karen, a cancer survivor herself at the turn of the 21st century, had a passion for the wellness of children, for their quality of life, and a deep compassion for their families.

The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs.