All who know Karen will quickly nod that she is too humble to write her own bio, so this story is told by her husband Mike and daughter Emory.

Karen is super passionate about two things in life.   God’s Word and her family.

She studies His Word faithfully every day.  We wish everyone could see Karen in her favorite chair wearing her comfy robe, because her conviction is to start each and every morning in private time with God.

Her Bible tells its own story of personal study; insights heard from God’s still, small voice; and lots of life applications.

Karen teaches Precept & ladies’ Bible studies, volunteers at Kids Beach Clubs (imagine vacation Bible school in a 1-hour after-school program), co-teaches a young adult life group with Mike, is a regular MOPS speaker, and a popular ladies retreat speaker.

Her second love (after Jesus) is Mike, her husband of 41 years and college sweetheart.  Mike is the President and owner of Brightspot Incentives & Events, an incentive marketing agency in Dallas that manages incentives trips, corporate events, and sales contests.  He is the author of 12.5 Steps to a Perfect Incentive Program.  Together, they enjoy traveling for their business — and playing with their 8 grandbabies.

Karen has 3 children… actually, it’s 6 kids now!  She loves each of her in-law children as if she’s had them for 20+ years too.

Katie (May) Beach is a young mom to Caroline, Madison, and Emily – after being a popular high school math teacher for many years.  Katie is married to Sean Beach, the Associate Minister of Education at First Baptist Church Dallas.

Will May is the Chief Revenue Officer at Pendo.io, a fast-growing software company.  He married Anna (Stainback) in 2013, and they live in Plano, TX.  Anna was a speech pathologist with the Plano ISD, and is now a full-time mom to Michael Kent (named after his two grandpas) Charlie, and Molly.  We thank God for bringing Anna to us too.

Emory graduated from Baylor University and served in a ministry to high school students named K Life.  In 2016, she married Chandler Wall who works as a financial advisor at Teak Tree in Fort Worth, TX.  He Emory laughing and smiling.  Now, Emory and Chandler and parents to Lucy and are expecting a baby in early 2024.

Part of Karen’s testimony is 2006.  It was a “hard” year, but not a “bad” year (see videos) when Karen was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.  Karen endured surgeries and 6 rounds of chemotherapy — losing her hair, along with all the usual side effects.  We praise God that Karen has been cancer-free and healthy for 12 years.

Karen’s #1 & 2 personal interests are God’s Word and her grandbabies (Mike and her children have slipped to 2B now!).  Her other pastimes include watching the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks; enjoying good Mexican food (especially chips & salsa); and traveling with Mike for their business.

 

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