Wednesday morning , October 27, 2021, Karen Evans Wood peacefully entered the gates of heaven to be with her Lord and Savior while surrounded by loved ones at her home in Spring, Texas. Karen, 69, was born on July 16, 1952, in Houston, Texas to Willard Floyd Evans, Jr. & Margaret Lee Brantley. Karen leaves behind to cherish her legacy, her spouse "F C" Wood and her daughter Shelby Wood Roye (husband Seth Roye, and grandson Isaac Roye).

She attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a bachelor of science in education on December 24, 1977. After her daughter was born, Karen went back to school to complete a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University. Karen was a devoted teacher for more than 40 years before retiring in 2017. She passed this passion on to her daughter and was a teacher to the end as she watched her grandson, Isaac, during the week. Isaac and "KK" went to the zoo at least twice a week to learn and explore. Their time together brought her so much joy and she would have done anything for that little boy.

Despite the pain, Karen gave God the glory up until her final breath. During her first day of home hospice, while her room was filled with loved ones, she asked everyone if they knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior because she wanted to be sure they were all joining her one day. She described to family and friends how there was nothing that we could "do" to earn our salvation and how this is really hard for many to understand. Simply believe that Jesus died for your sins and you are forgiven and justified. That proclamation was true when she spoke it, and we know those words will always be true. As she got closer to her final breath, she shared glimpses of heaven with those present. On countless occasions, with overwhelming joy and peace, she would exclaim, "This is just so unbelievable! Do you guys realize?! I mean truly unbelievable!"

1 Corinthians 2:9 - That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

Karen's sense of humor and tender smile were certainly not stifled throughout her courageous battle with cancer. Once she bid farewell to the hospital and cozied up back at home, her words were, "I can sleep in now and I don't have to play possum anymore!" After a combined total of two and a half weeks in the hospital, she was relieved and excited for many reasons. In true Karen fashion, she was more concerned about who would watch out for her baby girl once she was gone. When Shelby's mother-in-law said she would look out for Shelby, but not try to replace her, Karen's words were, "Good because that would be exhausting!" Her face lit up as visitors came to the house, and the smile was only briefly interrupted when talk of the Texas football season came into conversation. Karen and family were long-time Texas football season ticket holders. You could find her decked out in burnt orange from head to toe at every home football game. As any die hard fan, her ring tone was "The Eyes of Texas" which is performed by the Texas Longhorn Band at the conclusion of every game.

She is survived by her siblings, Willard Mitchell Evans, Terri Lynn Huss, and Kelley McLennan.

Karen's life will be celebrated in the sanctuary at Grace Bible Church, 6325 Hurst Street, Houston, TX 77008 on Saturday, October 30, 2021 . Visitation of family and friends will be held at 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m.

Live Zoom link available for virtual guests by request.

Thank you, God, for revealing yourself in such incredible ways these last few weeks and for the tremendous peace we have knowing Karen is home with you. We are overwhelmed by God's provision and tremendously thankful for everyone who loved Karen and our family throughout her beautiful life.

One of her last requests was that in lieu of flowers, tax-deductible contributions be made to her favorite ministry providing for the physical and spiritual needs of people living in Houston's inner city which can be accomplished at https://missioncenters.org/donate/ .