Karen Lightner

Karen passed peacefully from this life the morning of May 5, 2015 after a slow decline in health from brain/lung cancer. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family and caregivers during the last days of her life.

Karen was born in Sioux City, IA, to her parents, Richard Lightner Jr. and Judith Cardwell. She was the first born of five children to this union. Her siblings included, Sandra, Richard, Joann and Russell.

Karen received her Associate's Degree in from Penn Valley Community College in the mid 1970s, she continued her education at Northeast Missouri State University, and there she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Elementary. Karen held a position as a school teacher in the public school system for over 35 years in Kansas City, KS, MO and Stone Mountain, GA.

Karen is survived by One son: Stuart Burnett, grandson: Cameron Burnett; Ten Nieces & Nephews: Sharon (Fred) Lightner-Harris, Lorriane Lightner, Kay McCabe and Christopher Lightner all of Aurora, CO; Alfonso Lightner, LaNissa Lightner, Aaron Lightner, all of Georgia; Kendra Lightner of Dallas, TX; Kreg McCabe of Houston, TX; Gabriel Lightner of Sweden; Six great-nephews: Alexander & Malik Harris, Jaylen & Jaxson Petty all of Aurora, CO; Tyreke Lightner of Georgia; Kreg (KJ) McCabe Jr. of Houston, TX; and a host of cousins, other family members and friends.

Karen is also survived by her sister: Sandra (Frankie) Lightner- Dickson, of Lithonia, GA, her two brothers: Russell Lightner of Aurora, CO & Richard (Toni) Lightner of Dallas, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her father: Richard Lightner Jr., grandmother: Lurleen Lightner, grandfather: Richard Lightner, Nephew: Phillip Lightner and sister: Joann (Joleen) McCabe.