Karen Sue Blake

Karen Blake, age 80, went home into the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco, Texas. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, January 3, 2025, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. Funeral Service celebrating Karen’s legacy of loving and devotion will be Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 1:30PM at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home; Family graveside will follow.

Karen Sue Turner was born on May 1, 1944, in Clovis, New Mexico. She was raised and attended school in Friona, Texas, where she cultivated lifelong friends and her beautiful vocal talent as a member of The Trebleaires, an all-girl Friona High School choir. In 1962, Karen was chosen as “Most Talented” by her classmates and at her 25th high school reunion, she was chosen “Least Changed” – a testament to her beauty and her fun, witty personality. 

Karen was united in marriage at age 18 shortly after her graduation on June 23, 1962, to L.G. “Burr” Blake. She and Burr moved to Stratford, Texas, to farm where their son, Drew, and daughter, Kristi, got the honor of being raised by the best mother God could ever give a child.

Karen continued to bless those around her with her beautiful singing voice at Stratford’s First Baptist Church, at weddings, funerals, nursing homes, and around the Texas panhandle entertaining civic clubs and other local gatherings as a member of a female trio called “The Jubilations.” She shared her love of Jesus to the toddlers at church at Sunday school, by teaching them songs like “This Little Light of Mine” and “Jesus Loves Me” while giving lots of hugs and kisses. She continued her praise of Jesus through song and her love of performing as a member of the Baylor Singing Seniors when she relocated to Waco in 2001.

While other moms may have an impressive list of charity work or service on community boards, Karen was singularly focused on taking care of her family’s physical, mental, and spiritual growth. She allowed everyone else around her to shine. 

She wrote beautiful songs throughout her life as well, including special songs penned for her grandchildren, Eva and Blake, at their births and would sing to them often. Karen was completely devoted to her grandchildren, who got the privilege of talking to and seeing their beloved GaGa almost daily. She cherished every moment with them and relished listening to them talking about their day and laughing in the back seat of her car after picking them up from school. She loved telling them about her eccentric parents and childhood, the pets she loved, and funny stories. 

Karen is preceded in death by her infant son, Billy Lawrence Blake, her adult son, Loren Drew Blake, her ex-husband and father to her children, L.G. “Burr” Blake; her parents, Billy Wade Turner and Eva Aline Coker Turner, and her favorite aunt and lookalike, Betty Jeane Turner Coker. Karen endured great sorrow in her life, but despite that, she still exuded joy, love, and wit because she trusted in the healing power of faith in her Savior and his promise of blissful reunions in His kingdom in heaven.

Left to carry on Karen’s memory and legacy are her precious grandchildren, Eva Grace DeCluitt, Blake Robert DeCluitt, and Drew’s daughter, Katheryn Kapfer. She was so proud of all of them and loved them fiercely.

Also surviving and mourning the loss of Karen are her daughter, Kristi DeCluitt, her “son-in-love” Christopher DeCluitt, of Waco, Texas; her best friend and loving sister, Becky Hardcastle, who called each other “Sisty Ugler,” and brother-in-law Gary Hardcastle, who Karen referred to as Prince Charming, of Wheeler, Texas; her adopted sister, Marty Thomas, of Memphis, Tennessee; and her bonus daughter, Cindy Smith, of Amarillo, Texas. Karen also had many close cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends whom she loved dearly, especially Becky’s children, niece Mindy Brashears and her husband Todd and their beautiful girls, Bailey, Reagan, and Presley, and nephew Marcus Hardcastle and his wife Heather and their children Justin, Houston, and Sierra. 

Her loved ones like to imagine a world where Karen would have gotten to live her dreams, singing, traveling, and recording her music, but, instead, they all benefitted from her unconditional love and unwavering devotion. Knowing Karen Blake was knowing true love, and the hope is that her example of selflessness and positivity will make all of us a little kinder, closer to God, and forgiving, as she always forgave any slight instantly. Her family and friends can be assured that right now, and for eternity, Karen will be leading the choir singing at the foot of Jesus. She loves him so. 

Memorials may be made to the Waco Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children or your local church home. 

The family invites you to leave a message, or especially a memory of Karen, on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.