Karen Ann Bowers

Funeral services for Karen Ann Bowers, 58, of Lufkin, will be held Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Pastor Mardy Guidry and Pastor Michael Murphy officiating. Interment will follow in the Walker Cemetery.
Mrs. Bowers was born May 14, 1953 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Jackie Maxine (Sharpe) and Robert E. Marberry. She died Monday, April 9, 2012 in a Lufkin hospital.
Karen, better known as ""Honey & Auntie,"" will forever hold a special place in all our hearts. Her smile will never be forgotten, and her laugh could light up an entire room. Her passion and vibrancy for life was admired by those that knew her best.
Karen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was married to the love of her life, Ricky, for 32 wonderful years. They shared not only a marriage, but were life partners, and from the very beginning of their relationship, were very rarely apart. Karen was a wonderful and dependable mother, never missing an event in her daughter, Kelly's, life. The great love she had for her daughter spilled over to her three wonderful grandchildren, Jordan, Dylan and Chloe. Her family was her world! In fact, she left her home in Lufkin to follow them to Teague, only because she could not stand the thought of being away from her babies! She and Ricky had just recently moved back to Lufkin this past year.
Karen, a 1971 graduate of Hudson High School, worked as an LVN for over 15 years, serving Lufkin's community at the Lufkin State School, Angelina Nursing Center and Memorial Hospital. She then gave up her nursing career to keep children in her home and became ""Ms. Karen,"" everyone's ""beloved babysitter."" Karen was happiest when she was bouncing a baby in her lap!
Karen's strong faith in God was an inspiration to all those that knew her. Throughout her struggles battling diabetes, she never faltered in her faith or her belief that God would heal her. Her ultimate healing was when she went to be with her Lord and Savior. Karen was loved dearly by her five brothers, as well as her entire family, and was being lifted up in prayer by family and friends when she went to be with her Jesus on Monday. She was a longtime member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church; and while living in Teague, she was a member of Emanuel Baptist in Fairfield.
Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Ricky Bowers of Lufkin; daughter, Kelly Persano and special friend Brad McNett of Teague; five grandchildren, Jordan, Dylan, Chloe, Tori and Braden; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert L. and Betty Marberry of Martinsville, Billy Jack Marberry of Houston, Richard M. and Cathy J. Marberry of Lufkin, Stephen and Michelle Marberry of Lufkin, and Malcom and Linda Marberry of Hudson; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Rita Bowers of Lufkin, David and Becky Bowers of Lufkin; and nieces and nephews, James Butler, Marlin and Brittany Butler, Brandy Meck, Stephanie and Jarrod Wilson, Ali Campbell, Josh Marberry, Dawne Wilson, Savanna Marberry, Zach Marberry, Mattie Marberry, Kelly and Jeff Corey, Jessica and Bobby Knight, Robin Bowers, and Laurie and Douglas Durbin.
Preceding Karen in death were her parents; her niece, Emily Marberry; and a brother-in-law, Andy Bowers.
Pallbearers will be David Allen, Lynn Bryan, Tommy Bryan, Mike Malcom, Josh Marberry, Zach Marberry, Richard Brookshire and Elton Musick.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Smith, Tim Smith, Allen Smith, Todd Smith, James Morgan, David Bowers, Gary Campbell and Kenny Stephens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Houston Office, 2400 Augusta Dr., Suite 175, Houston, Texas 77057; or to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 151125, Lufkin, Texas 75915.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors