Karen Willine Clark was born on November 30, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Noah Fines Clark, Jr. and Celestia Vera (Williamson) Clark. She graduated from Ruskin High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was a member of DECA.
Karen began her career in health care as a nurse aide at John Knox Village and later served at Encompass Medical. She retired from Encompass Medical Services in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 31, 2025, after 37 years of dedicated service in medicine.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Michael Wayde Clark, Sr. and Dennis Clark; and her niece, Lisa Marie (Clark) Hernandez.
She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Patrick Whaylen Clark, and his wife, Fely Clark, of Springfield, Missouri; nephews Richard Ian Clark (United States Navy), David Anthony Clark, Thomas Mark Clark, and Michael Wayde Clark, Jr.; nephew-in-law Isidro Hernandez; and great-nephews Alexander Hernandez and Shane Hernandez of North Carolina. She also leaves numerous cousins, extended family, and friends.