Born and raised in Dallas, Karen graduated from David W. Carter High School in 1973. She attended North Texas State University, where she met several longtime friends and began new life adventures. The brightest light in any room, Karen enjoyed talking with people and making their days better. Entertaining people came naturally to her, and she thrived on bringing joy to others. With that, she spent twenty-nine years as a lead receptionist at American Honda Finance Corporation, and as the friendly phone screener on Wheels with Ed Wallace since 1995. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, where she took great pride in greeting and ushering.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Clarence, and older brother, Raymond, both of whom she anxiously longed to see again; and neither of whom were likely surprised that she arrived late to the afterlife.
Celebrating her and carrying on her laughter and love are her mother Margaret, husband Richard Coley, daughter Natalie Parks (Jeremy), beloved grandbabies (of whom she always happened to have a picture to show), Jayden and Ella, fur babies Kramer and Lola, and a host of friends she loved as family.
An outdoor service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 12, at the pavilion at Sparkman-Hillcrest. Rubber chickens and whoopee cushions are welcomed and masks are requested. A larger celebration of life will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the most “un-Karen” of Karens would want you to perform a random act of kindness or drive extra carefully in a residential area to allow squirrels safe crossing.
