Karena Deshawn Wilkins

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Karena Deshawn Wilkins, who was born in Springfield, Missouri, on November 2, 1974, and departed this life on July 3, 2025. Karena was born in Springfield, Missouri to Thomas and Ora Maben. She leaves behind her loving husband, Cletus III of 24 years; two children whom she adored, Micha and Walter; her sisters Tonja (Paul) Chambers, Christa (Michael) Jackson, Amy (Steven) deVries, Kathy (Manish) Khanna; two nephews Cory Herbert and Zechariah deVries a niece Adanya deVries; step-mom Anna Maben; in-laws Cletus and Patricia Wilkins, and Erica Wilkins.

Karena worked a variety of corporate assignments, but is most proud to run her business with Cletus. Over the years, in her business dealings, she and Cletus had on their customer client list the Walton family (and other Billionaire families), various CEOs of Wal Mart, the various cities, the University of Arkansas, members of the state legislature, congressman and Wal Mart headquarters. For some of these entities, Karena's business was their sole vendor. She (with Cletus) met future presidents on numerous occasions and conducted business with them also. The family was interviewed numerous times on television in Northwest Arkansas, and shown in commercials over the years. A local marketing firm stated that the business had a brand name recognition locally on the same level as Coca-Cola or McDonald's. All of this came about by just trying to represent Christ in her all of her business affairs. At no point did Karena seek these entities for their business, they her approached her based on the quality of her reputation as doing business in an honest and upright manner.

The last three years of her life, her business was voted #1 in Northwest Arkansas. Karena was proud to be a female and minority business owner, and wanted to set the example for other females and minorities to not allow the world to limit their dreams based on race. But business was not the most important thing in Karena's life. Faith was.

She gave her life to Jesus at an early age. Growing up, Karena attended and was a member of Deliverance Temple Ministries where she served in the choir, youth department, Step-n-Praise, and attended Bible Study. Under the pastoral leadership of Bishop David Knox, Jr., Karena preached the gospel and spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all she encountered. While attending (and graduating) from SMSU, she was a volunteer and lead for Campus Crusade for Christ. She was a leader in the Campus Crusade for Christ and continued to spread the good news in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas. She was a Youth Group Pastor. Karena and Cletus assisted many ministries, either on capacity, or behind the scenes, for the entire time they were married. Karena was also a registered and ordained Minister.

Karena was very focused on her family, and spent many hours with her husband and kids doing mutual hobbies. The family did everything together, lifting weights, training in karate, taking walks in the park, playing video games, avidly watching football and MMA, binge watching shows and movies, taking rides in muscle cars and riding motorcycles. While being self-employed, the babies were there at the business meetings getting their diapers changed. The family was always together and in unity.

Karena was loved by all who knew her. Her radiant smile always brightened the room. She made a positive difference on everyone she encountered. Karena's presence is and will be sorely missed, but as it is written, “To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord.”