Karla McCaslin

Born on March 29, 1965, at Lemoore Naval Air Station in California, she was the daughter of Ernest Leroy Phillips and Marty Ann Carter.

Karla was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she attended the Lake Hamilton School District. In 1984, she moved back to California, where she gave birth to her two beloved children, Elizabeth (ShortStuff) and Phillip (Lil Sh*t). She later returned to Arkansas, dedicated to taking care of her children, whom she loved unconditionally.

A lifelong learner, Karla attended college while living in California and continued her education upon returning to Arkansas, studying at National Park Community College.

Karla possessed an active spirit; from the time she could walk, she loved swimming and fishing in the beautiful lakes of Arkansas. In 2000, she started riding motorcycles, which quickly grew into a deep passion that brought wonderful, lifelong friends into her life.

She was also an avid crocheter, crafter, and an incredibly talented seamstress.

Karla never met a stranger. She lit up every room and touched everyone she met with her bright laughter and smile. Everyone who met her walked away a better person. She firmly believed that wherever you go, you should leave it better than you found it—and boy, did she! The world is such a better place because she was in it, and through the legacy of love she leaves behind, she is still making the world a better place.

Karla always looked for signs from heaven. Her absolute favorite was a simple penny, which she affectionately called “hugs.” If you happen to see a penny on the ground, please pick it up and know that she is sending you a hug from heaven.

She is survived by her loving children, Elizabeth Dawn Lambert and her husband Corey, Phillip Nathaniel Godwin II; Her parents, Ernest and Mary Phillips; Her siblings, Stephen Phillips and his wife Tonia,

Donnie Harris, Melisa Dawn Frick and her husband Tim, Franklin Logos and his wife Melissa, and Cassie Cochran and her husband Stephen.

She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, who affectionately called her "YaYa" :Cody and his wife Kaitlynne Lambert, Brandon Lambert (Lil Man), Essabella Rene' (BabyGirl) Lambert, and Aubree (Little Person) Godwin; as well as three precious great-grandchildren.

And many people also called her "Mom" or "YaYa" and she treated them as her own children and grandchildren.

Karla was preceded in death by Jeffrey and Rylin Gibbs, whom she loved deeply like a son and granddaughter.

Memorial Service Details:

882 Breckenridge Drive, Benton, AR 72019.

Please join us to celebrate Karla's life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Feel free to come and go as you please. Karla always preferred comfort and a good laugh over formalities; she wouldn’t want anyone showing up in "monkey suits," so casual attire is highly encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations to her funeral and memorial funds are appreciated via cash at the service or digitally at:

Cash App- $MelisaFrick

Venmo- $Melisa-Frick