Karen Nelson Hicks

Music held a special place in Karen’s heart. During college, she studied opera and was trained to sing the Italian version of Ave Maria. It was especially fitting that Ave Maria played as loved ones gathered to celebrate her life.

Karen loved gardening, game shows—especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!—and the excitement of Las Vegas, where she enjoyed playing slots and blackjack. She once even had the memorable experience of playing blackjack with Charley Pride and his wife, Rozene.

Karen dedicated approximately 30 years to banking, beginning her career in Corpus Christi before moving to Grand Prairie in 1969. She retired in 1995 from Bank of America in Grand Prairie, where she was a beloved teller and well known by her customers. Her family always enjoyed joking that, despite her many years in banking, mathematics was never exactly her favorite subject.

She was also deeply involved in her community. Karen worked alongside her dear friend Sonja Nelson with the Miss Grand Prairie, Miss Texas, and Miss America pageants. She played catcher on a women’s softball team and was active in Grand Prairie events and Nottingham Neighbors.

Karen loved to travel, especially trips to Mexico with her bank co-workers and adventures to Las Vegas with her daughter and son-in-law. Those journeys created some of the family’s funniest and most cherished memories.

Above all, Karen treasured her family. She will be remembered for her love, laughter, kindness, adventurous spirit, and the many lives she touched.

Karen is survived by Daughter: Michelle Dunn and husband, David T. Dunn, Sr. Son: Thomas P. Hicks, Jr. Grandchildren: David T. Dunn, Jr.; Erin Dunn Coburn. Great-grandchildren: Michael Reyes; Madison Dunn; David N. Dunn; Alyssa Reyes; Justin Bowen; Jordan Bowen

Her memory will forever remain a blessing to the family and friends who loved her.