Karen Lee Grant, age 71, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Friends and family surrounded her hospital bed as they sang hymns and prayed over her as she peacefully took her last breath. She was dearly loved by many.
Karen was born November 28, 1952, to Clarence and Vera Grant, in Littlefield, Texas. As a young child, she moved to Lubbock, Texas. She grew up in Lubbock and lived there until graduating from Texas Tech with a degree in social work in 1976. Soon after, she moved to Houston, where she worked for a church, and then for the University of Houston. In 1984, she moved to Fort Worth, Texas where she attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she studied counseling.
Karen began working for James Mallory, Attorney at Law, where she worked for 29 years. Most of those years as the Office Manager. During her time at Mallory’s, she touched many, many lives. Her office door was always open. If someone needed a job, she usually found one for them working for Mr. Mallory. One co-worker described Karen as a sweet, caring, and compassionate lady. Another shared that Karen’s compassion, her perspective on life, her laugh and her abilities were all God’s gift to those who knew her.
Though she never married or had children of her own, she became a “second” mom to her nieces, Sarah and Hannah; and in 2001, she, her sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Rodney, built a new home together, in Mansfield, Texas. She shared this home with her dear nieces, then later with her great-nephews, Lucas and Logan. After Rodney sadly passed in 2017, Karen and Dawn decided to downsize, so In 2019, they moved to a new house with their dream swimming pool. Karen LOVED having a pool. It truly was a dream come true for her and Dawn. Karen resided there until she passed.
Many weekends, Karen loved having her great-nephews spend the night. She loved cooking, swimming, playing card games, tickling, watching movies and cuddling with them. During COVID, she even helped home-school them. She loved them as if they were her own grandchildren and they viewed her as a bonus Grandma and knew how lucky they were to have her. She was also an artist and left Dawn with several beautiful oil paintings.
Karen loved to tell others of Jesus; and because she loved the Lord, she made sure to strongly encourage her loved ones to go to church. Karen loved music, singing and playing piano. She sang in the church choir, and taught children’s choir, and led Bible studies for many years.
Her impact on family will not be forgotten, as it changed their lives forever. Karen will be dearly missed by her sister Dawn Pfahning (Rodney), brother Danny Grant (Lorenne), nieces Hannah Pfahning and Sarah English (Joel). Karen had much love to share with all of her nieces and nephews: Jonathan Grant, Danielle Grant, Nicholas Grant, Lucas Tatlock, Logan Tatlock, Jonas English and, Josephine Grace English. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Larry Grant.