Karen Sue Rhodes, 75, passed away on August 14, 2024. Her family will host a visitation Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral Services will be 2 pm on Friday, August 16th at May First Baptist Church with interment to follow at May Cemetery.
Karen was born on March 12, 1949 in Brownwood, Texas to Estelle (Sally) and Lester Harris of Rising Star. She completed her school career at Rising Star ISD, graduating from RSHS in 1967. Karen went on to Cisco Junior College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree. She also attended Tarleton State University for a time.
Karen met Don Rhodes during her senior year of high school, and he asked her for a date after watching her play basketball. They were married June 1, 1968 at the Bible Baptist Church in Rising Star, Texas, and enjoyed a loving marriage of fifty-six years. They were blessed with two children, Allison Rhodes Williams and Ethan Rhodes.
Karen enjoyed serving people. She worked at Palace Drug in Rising Star from 1968 to 1973 where she enjoyed getting to know her customers. In 1980, Karen became employed at May ISD. She was an aide in the library and kept the cafeteria books for 36 years. She enjoyed the students and her co-workers there. Don says she also taught Driver’s Ed every time he got behind the wheel!
Karen loved their farm where they raised cattle. She loved to ride horses, and barrel raced in her younger years. She and Don kept horses throughout their life to share her love of riding with her children and grandchildren.
Karen was a devoted fan of major league baseball. She loved the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees, but was content to watch any teams she could find to watch. May ISD gifted her a framed map that contains samples of infield soil from all of the major league ballparks. It holds a place of prominence in the family room. Upon retirement, Karen and Don visited as many ballparks as they could.
One of Karen’s favorite pastimes was the sporting events of our May Tigers, especially when one of her children or grandchildren was on the field or track, but especially on the basketball court. Karen was very proud of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, whatever they were.
Karen served the Lord all of her life. She and Don were baptized together at First Baptist Church Rising Star in the spring of 1977. She always joked that Ethan was baptized twice, as he was born in June of that year. She served by teaching Sunday School, and volunteering in the nursery as a young adult at FBC Rising Star. At May FBC, she served by providing meals for church functions, and as a nursery volunteer for a time.
Next to God, Karen loved her family best. She prayed faithfully for them, and instilled a love of Jesus in her children and grandchildren. She showed her love by cooking their favorites and never missed a special event, especially if it involved sports!
Karen is survived by her husband Don Rhodes of May, daughter Allison Williams and her husband, David of May, grandchildren Isaac Williams and his wife, Jessica of May, Eli Williams, and his wife Brienna of Brownwood, Hannah Potter, and her husband Trey of Johnson City, TN, and one great granddaughter, Caroline Williams of Brownwood, brother Lester Lee Harris and wife, Sandra of Rising Star, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Karen is preceded in death by her son, Ethan Rhodes, a nephew, John Harris, her parents, Estelle and Lester Harris, and two brothers, Ray Harris and Don Harris.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
