Karen Estes Crockett

Karen was born in Spartanburg, SC on May 26, 1946 to Henry Cleon Estes and Christine Wilson Estes. After graduating from Spartanburg High in 1964, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University and eventually pursued a Master of Social Work degree at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work.

Karen was employed with the SC Department of Mental Health for 33 years. She was a supervisor at the adult clinic with Columbia Area Mental Health Center for much of her career, and she was adored by her staff.

Karen was an avid gardener and loved cultivating her own plants, flowers, and vegetables; an interest she shared with her late husband, John. A Master Gardener, she was admired for her green thumb and enjoyed sharing her spoils with colleagues, friends, and family. Throughout her life, Karen was an active member of her church and sang in the choir for many years. She enjoyed volunteering in the community, and especially loved serving as a mentor at the elementary school near her home. Most of all, she loved being with her family and spending time with her five grandchildren.

Karen was predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years, John Morton Crockett, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Christi Crockett of Ballentine, Cheri Taylor (Travis) of Columbia, and Cassie Taylor (Graham) of Irmo; grandchildren, Jackson, Tempie, Lainey, Preston, and Evan; her sister-in-law, Nancy Crockett Cooper (Miles); and two nephews, a niece and each of their children.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the John Crockett Internship Fund through the SCETV Endowment, 401 East Kennedy St., Suite B-1, Spartanburg SC 29302 or Oliver Gospel, PO Box 7697, Columbia, SC 29201.