Karen Frances Malay

Karen Frances Barnes, age 67 of The Woodlands, Texas passed away August 22, 2015. Karen was born March 22, 1948 to Venton and Lillian Barnes in Fresno, California. She grew up in Scotia, California, a small lumber company town in Northern California. She spent her days playing and riding her wagon down the hill as a child, then working in her parents Coffee Shop and small grocery store as she got older. She is the second oldest of 6 children. Her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona while she was in High School. She graduated Maryvale High School class of ’66. After graduation she moved back to California. She loved the Bay Area and the redwood trees. There she worked as a grocery checker for Safeway. Soon Karen met William Martin Malay and was smitten. They decided to share their lives together. Together they had five beautiful children. As life changed, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the spring of 1982 to be near family and to raise her children as a single mother. She continued to work in the grocery business working for Alpha Beta which later became ABCO. In 2008, Karen moved to The Woodlands, Texas. As always she gained instant friends and brightened everyone’s day she came in contact with. While living in Texas she served a 3 year service mission for her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved being a mother and often said her most cherished blessings were her children. Her deepest values were family, faith, friendship, love, and the Gospel teachings. Karen is survived by her children and their spouses: Amy and Mark Gammon, Michael and Deborah Malay, Kate and Berkley Nelson, Matthew and Guadalupe Malay, Zachary and Sandra Malay. Her Grandchildren: Lillian, William, Viviann, Courtney, Emily, Dallin, Sterling, Claudia, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Cinthia, Emily, Angie, Addison and Kaylee. Her siblings and their spouses: Kathryn and William Engemann, Suzanne and Paul Engemann, Bryce and Wendy Barnes, Boyce and Masumi Barnes, Brian and Mari Barnes and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Venton and Lillian Barnes. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2015 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5220 W. Pinnacle Peak Road Glendale, AZ 85310. Visitation will begin at 8:30 am and the Service will begin at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Chase Bank to help with funeral expenses. Contact her daughter Kate Nelson or a member of the family for information. Arrangements entrusted to A.L.Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary 710 West Bethany Home Road Phoenix, AZ 85013.