Karen Lynn Peake, 62 of Joaquin, TX, was eternally reunited with her Savior and her parents on August 31 st , 2023. Her impactful life in this world will be celebrated by her family and friends during a visitation that will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 on Sunday, September 3, 2023, funeral to follow at 2:00. Interment will follow at Willow Grove Cemetery in Joaquin, TX. Karen, or KK as she was called by her nieces and nephews, was born on October 26 th , 1960, in Houston, TX to her mom, Ardis Helen Soma Peake, and her dad, Harry James Peake Sr. She entered this world in the same manner she left it, with overwhelming love and affection. Her life’s story was, and continues to be, a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit and the overwhelming love of God.

Karen was an artist in the truest sense of the word. Artists create! They take the seemingly mundane things of life and package them into a gift that stirs the souls of the people who receive it. Yes, she colored, she painted, and she sang her favorite songs, but she created so much more than colorful pages and canvases, she created community.

Karen used her favorite medium, love, to weave together people from all walks of life into a tapestry as diverse and unique as the latch-work quilts that her daddy taught her to make as a child. She brought out the best in people. She used her gift of love to illuminate a path of purpose and perspective. To know her was to love her and to spend a few minutes in her company was to better know yourself. As an artist, she was best known for her painting of angels and often adorned her canvases with her favorite passage of scripture, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware. Hebrews 13:2. Her art brought her more than just the satisfaction of creation, it also took her places. After saving up the money she had made from selling several paintings, and with the help of family, she finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to Disney World and spending time with one of her most favorite, Mickey Mouse.

She was nothing if not entertaining. She refused to color with a dull crayon or share the sharp ones with her nieces and nephews for that matter. Love was in abundance, but sharp crayons were not. There were two things that she took even more seriously than her crayons, and both of them warranted the two calls she placed to 911 (there might have been more if the phone had not been restricted), one to report that she couldn’t find her sister, Debbie Leggett, and the other to report that she was out of Diet Coke. No doubt there was more panic in her voice concerning the latter.

Karen never quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”, but she believed that lofty principle. She was your friend first, not because of who you were, but because of who she was. She saw right past the labels and stereotypes that this world often places on each of us and looked only at our humanity, and she helped others to see the same way. She had so many dear friends that it would take pages and pages to list them all, but there a few who stand out. The first would be Richard Kyle, who Karen first met during a Special Olympics event more than 30 years ago. They shared a lifelong friendship and a love for the Special Olympics competitions. Then there is Mrs. Kaye Powell, for whom our family will forever be grateful for the love and care she gave to Karen these past several years. Not only Mrs. Kaye, but all the staff and residents at Lakeside Assisted Living, where Karen lived since 2014 until earlier this year when the need for additional care necessitated her moving to Pine Grove Nursing Home. Of all the caregivers in Karen’s life, it would be remiss not to name Samantha Clifton, she not only cared for Karen, but she also took time to play games with her and look after her as only a friend can do.

Karen was also a teacher. She taught us to be kind to one another, to love one another, to be content and to appreciate life for the gift that it is. It’s difficult, at first, to imagine this world without her. But after a little reflection, a few tears, and a lot of smiles and laughter, it’s easy to see that she lives on through the many lives that she forever changed.

To carry-on the work Karen began, she leaves behind a sister, Debra Kay Leggett and husband Dennis of Joaquin, TX, a brother, Harry James Peake Jr. and wife Pamela of Grapeland, TX. Niece, Cristal Vazquez and husband Salvador of Sunset, LA. Nephews, Nathaniel Peake of Houston, TX, Jonathan Peake of Rosharon, TX, and Luke Garrett and wife Ginger of Joaquin, TX. Great Nieces, Molly Vazquez, Betsy Vazquez, Allyson Garrett, Lauren Garrett Hall and husband Jeremy, and Whitney Garrett. Great Nephew, Jacob Vazquez. Great Great Nephew, Baker Luke Hall.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry James Peake Sr. and Ardis Helen Soma Peake.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Willow Grove Cemetery Fund, 7948 FM 139, Joaquin, TX 75954