Karen Marie Owen Downs: – 09/16/20

Obituaries

Tuesday, 15 September 2020 13:23

Karen Marie Owen Downs, 59 of Grant passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, September 4, 2020. Graveside services were held on Monday, September 7, 2020 at Troup Cemetery with services officiated by Bro. Anthony Barnes.
Karen was born in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, October 5, 1960 to Philip and Ruth Owen. Not long after her birth, they moved to Huntsville and then Guntersville Lake in 1974. After graduation from DAR in 1979, Karen continued her education at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, completing a degree in electrical engineering in 1983. She later attained two Master’s degrees in Mathematics and Engineering Management. After 30 years of distinguished service with the Department of Defense, Karen retired in 2016.
Karen’s generosity and heart for others was apparent to everyone who knew her. Every task she accomplished was done in a huge way, with love and perfection. She was an avid scrap-booker, and she loved to document family gatherings, trips and her children’s and granddaughters’ sporting events with hundreds of photos. Family vacations to Disney World, first with her children and then with her granddaughters, were her absolute favorite.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Karen is survived by her parents and her sister, Kathy (Philip) Swafford. She was preceded in death by her brother, Phil (Jan) Owen. Karen also leaves behind her two sisters-in-law, Brenda Kuykendall and Jean (Jim) Hyatt; special friend, Lula Bearden, who provided tender care for her in recent years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Karen Owen Downs and Phil Owen Memorial Scholarship Fund at KDS DAR School, 6077 Main Street, Grant, Ala. 35747 or to a charity of their choice