Karen Carlene Chapman

Karen Carlene Chapman was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Karen always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Karen was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Karen was born on June 2, 1962 at Grace Hospital in Morganton, North Carolina. Her parents were Charles and Beulah Chapman. Karen was raised in Morganton, North Carolina. Always able to express herself well, Karen possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Karen was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Karen was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Karen was raised with five siblings. She had one older sister, Odie, one older brother "Jack" Charles, and three younger sisters, Michelle, Stephanie, and Olga. Karen had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Karen showed her creative ability in many ways. She was outgoing and animated. Karen enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. She took part in cheerleading and basketball. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked to play in playhouses, play in the woods, and ride bikes. Karen's memorable achievements included graduating from Girl Scouts.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Karen was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. Her curious nature was spurred by her ability to maximize her personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. She was good with facts and had an excellent memory. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Friends and acquaintances found Karen an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Karen was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of her best friends were Melody Avery, Melinda Rutherford, Celeste Lynch, Carolyn Corpening, Leroy Moore, Betty Kanipe, Stephanie Kanipe, Terri Fleming.

Very much like a kid herself, Karen identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Karen was blessed with two children, one son, C. J. and one daughter, TreCola. She was also blessed with one grandchild, Zyaire.

Karen was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Karen’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Karen was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Karen could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in her work environment. She was employed for Grace Ridge.

Karen enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were watching old movies, shopping and spending time with family. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Because she liked to take risks, Karen was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Karen was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were beach volleyball, volleyball and football.

Karen held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to her. She was a member of New Day Christian Church for 1 1/2 years. During that time, she was a faithful member.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Karen truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included going to the beach.

Karen was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Karen’s favorites was Brownie, a dog. They were best friends for 2 years.

Karen passed away on July 4, 2010 at in her home, Morganton, North Carolina. Karen fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her children C. J. And TreCola and grandchild Zyaire. Services were held at New Day Christian Church. Karen was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Karen was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Karen had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Karen Carlene Chapman.