Before she was Mommy, before she was Sister Girl, before she was Grandmother, before any of us were fortunate to call her friend, she was Karen Lynn Carter.

Her birth certificate reads “Sept. 20, 1961, Los Angeles, California,” but let’s be clear: Karen was a Dena Girl, through and through. She was raised in the City of Roses by Thomas and Patricia Ann Carter, and grew up in the foothills of Altadena as the 16th of 17 children. Karen became the foundation of a family that she would eventually grow and anchor with her own strength.

The big stage and bright lights were Karen’s natural element. Whether she was saying "I do" under the neon glow of Las Vegas or winning big on The Price Is Right, Let’s Make A Deal, or at the casino, she moved with a fearless grace. Living by this truth, that life is a game worth playing with all your heart, a game she won many times over.

She lived for the groove of a live performance, finding her joy in the smooth sounds of a jazz festival or the legendary soul of a Charlie Wilson concert. Always yelling, “Lexa! Play Jaheim,” to her Alexa Amazon home speaker, you could find her getting ready for an event, baby shower, or birthday party, every weekend — park chair in tow! With a natural charisma, beautiful smile, fabulous style, and sense of humor that kept her friends and family on their toes, Karen knew how to have a good time and look amazing while doing it.

For Karen, caregiving was more than a profession; it was a calling. She stood as a champion for the next generation at LAUSD, Kids 4 College, and served as an advocate to all who crossed her path. In every classroom and every living room, she traded mere service for genuine sanctuary.

Karen built her life on a deep, abiding Christian faith. A blood-washed believer from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, she was the rock upon which our family rested – a firm foundation of love and prayer. Always lending a helping hand to a loved one, opening her home to those in need, blessing someone with her last dollar, or stepping in with an encouraging word, Karen’s faith was the quiet engine behind her kindness.

Karen is survived and held in eternal light by her family: Mama to Reggie, Justin (Bumper), Payshia, and Drue; Grandmother to Xaria, Tristan, Chase, Eden, Amajsha, and Kerra; Mother-in-law to Jordan and Valery; Wife to Brian (Tracy); sister to Patty Ann, Beverly, Harold, TK, Derrick, Brian (Donnie), Bruce, RoseMarie (Cissy), Derek, and Trina (Pela); aunty to Tina, Lisa, Torri, Danielle, Brandon, Daysha, Harold Jr., and many more.

Our Lady K, our North Star, our anchor, our beloved, forever cherished.

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