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 36 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 4 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 and Madison, after being a popular high school math teacher for many years.  Katie is married to Sean Beach, the Discipleship Pastor pastor at Church at the Mall (First Baptist) in Lakeland, Florida.

This means Karen’s grandbabies are too far away, but she often uses her frequent flyer miles to make quick visits to see the babies (and Katie and Sean).

Will May is the Vice President, WW Inside Sales at AppDynamics, a fast-growing Bay Area software company with a large office in Dallas, TX.  He married Anna (Stainback) in 2013.  Anna was a speech pathologist with the Plano ISD, and is now a full-time mom to Michael Kent (named after his two grandpas) and Charlie.  We thank God for bringing Anna to us too.

Emory graduated from Baylor University and ministers to high school students with K Life.  In 2016, she married Chandler Wall who works as an oil & gas landman in Cowtown (Fort Worth, TX) and keeps Emory laughing and smiling.  Emory has a big heart for missions too, after working in an orphanage in Uganda.

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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