Karen Sue Shackelford passed away at 64 years old on November 10, 2024 from brain cancer. She was born December 21, 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri to her loving parents Sylvan Darrell and Mary Lou Hutson. She was a single mother raising two teenagers until she met her husband, Nathan, and later had their third child. She married her devoted husband, Nathan, on August 21, 2004 and they celebrated 20 years of marriage this year. He was her rock, caretaker, and true strength that helped guide her through her fight with cancer. Karen held her family and faith close to her heart during her battle, and they held her hand until the very end. She was a wonderful, supportive mother to her three children, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law; Devin Ryan, Mallory Kate, Jesse Thomas, Ellen Marie, and Michael Lyod, who love her very much. She raised her children to be caring, strong minded, and independent, just like her, and she always had a hug waiting for them. She loved her in-laws and developed a special relationship with each of them. Karen was truly a friend to all, but she held a life-long friendship with Monica Peter, who she considered to be a sister, they walked through all the stages of life together supporting each other along the way. Karen is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
She enjoyed serving others and had a selfless heart. Always willing to help, she was always a safe harbor for anyone in need. She was the second mother to the children she took into her home. She was a woman of God and spent time volunteering at Lenexa United Methodist Church. Karen was an alumni of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and William Woods University. She had a strong work ethic and achieved many accomplishments in her career as an advanced paralegal.
Karen is survived by her father and mother, Sylvan Darrell and May Lou Hutson; loving husband, Nathan B Shackleford; children, Devin (Ellen) McKernan, Mallory (Michael) Edwards, and Jesse Shackelford; brother, Darrell Lynn (Laura) Hutson; nephew, Darrell Lee Hutson; niece, Haylee Hutson; brother-in-law, Kenneth (John) Shackelford; sister-in-law, Tammy Shackelford; best friend, Monica Peter and her daughter Rachel; daughter-in-love, Amanda Smith; cousins, Karen Danner, Andrea Hughes, and JT Gava.
Karen is preceded in death by her grandparents, Jesse and Myrtle Hutson, Walter and Martha Bradshaw; father and mother-in-law, James C and Barbara L Shackelford; sister-in-law, Anna Shackelford and brother-in-law Stacey Joe Shackelford.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 from Noon until 1:00 p.m. at Lenexa United Methodist Church, 9138 Caenen Lake Rd, Lenexa, Kansas with services at 1:00 p.m. at the Church. Burial will follow at Lenexa Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.