A funeral service for Karen Jane Stephens, 80, of Ninnekah, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 in the Ninnekah First Baptist Church with Reverend Kim Hayes officiating.
Karen Jane Stephens was born May 16, 1943 in Ninnekah, Oklahoma to Floyd A. Nye and Orice Karleen (Griswold) Nye. She passed from this life on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at her home in Ninnekah surrounded by her loved ones.
Karen grew up in Ninnekah, graduating from Ninnekah High School in 1961.
On April 28, 1962, she married A. Eugene “Gene” Stephens in the Ninnekah First Baptist Church where she was a lifetime member. They shared 53 years of life together until his passing in December 2015 and had one son, Damon.
Karen began working for Gab Mortgage Company in 1963 until she was hired on with Chickasha Bank at the time of its opening in 1973. She worked as the head loan officer and Executive Vice President, retiring in 2021, finishing a long 58 years with a career in banking.
Karen’s life revolved around her loved ones and she followed Gene into all his endeavors, be it farming or raising cattle. She was an original board member of the Southwest District Live Stock Show. She was an avid supporter of Damon and never missed a ball game. She was big into her family and continued her family’s traditions as long as she could. She loved Damon, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, going to see them every day.
She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband Gene, her in-laws Clyde and Vashti Stephens, and two sisters Victorene Hale and Monica Mills.
Loved ones left to remember her are her son Damon Stephens of Ninnekah; grandchildren Michael Stephens and wife Kali of Ninnekah and Austin Stephens of Ninnekah, Lane and Hannah Winn of Verden, and Dystany Chavers of Chickasha; great-grandchildren Tylie, Brylee, Wyatt, Case, Aleeah, and Andi Gene; sisters and brothers-in-law Arvilla Bird, Trula and Vernon McElhaney, and Venita and Johnny Walker; brother and sister-in-law Ronnie and Donna Nye; sister-in-law Marleta Stephens; nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
Viewing will be at Ferguson Funeral Home on Monday, January 1 st from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Ninnekah Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.