Karen D. Dávila

Karen Darby Dávila passed away December 24th, 2013 in Austin. Born August 17th, 1945 in Velasco, TX, Karen was the daughter of Dillon O’Neal Darby and Frances Ruth McBride. Nicknamed “the girl peanut butter” hair by her cousin Vicky, Karen was a friendly, freckled child with an impish smile. After graduating from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, Karen attended UT Austin where she received a BA in Speech Pathology. Karen met her husband José Dávila at UT and had two daughters. She worked as a speech therapist before returning to school to receive a Master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. Later she returned to UT Austin to work on a doctorate degree in Experimental Psychology. Karen was an excellent speech therapist who helped many children lead happier, more productive lives. She worked at the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center in San Antonio, as well as public schools and state agencies in several Texas cities. She was also active in politics, at one point becoming a national delegate representing her party. Karen loved mystery novels, the blues, playing harmonica, and good Mexican food.

Karen is survived by her daughter Melinda and granddaughters Erika and Hannah; daughter Delia; ex-husband Jose; mother Frances; sister Diane; nephew Shane and his children; nephew Nathanael; brother Neal and niece Darby and her children.

A graveside service will take place at 11:30am on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway 78218.

The family requests donations to a public library be made in lieu of flowers.