Karen Moore Obituary

Karen Edna Moore, 81, of Holt, MO, affectionately known to most as Granny, passed away peacefully after years of struggle with Parkinsons Disease. She was born on June 7, 1943 to Kenneth Eugene and Juanita Elizabeth (True) O'Dell in Portsmouth, VA, and she went to her heavenly home on Saturday, September 15, 2024.
Karen lived in Virginia while her dad worked in the shipyard during the war. They moved to Holt where she grew up and was fondly known around town and the blacksmith shop as "Tommy" – she was quite the tomboy. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holt and accepted Jesus as her savior as a child. She attended school in Holt and Lathrop. She got married in 1959 and in the coming years was blessed with three children, Donnie, Connie and Laura. She taught her children about serving others as she took them along to deliver homemade food, Christmas gifts, etc. to many in Holt. And always welcomed others (friends, cousins, and anyone else) to their farm for fun and meals. She was very involved in her children's lives and activities, from rodeos to dance to track and so much more. As the kids got older, she began working at Hallmark Cards where she was a dedicated employee, making many friends along the way and retiring in 2008 to spend more time with family.
Karen's favorite nickname was Granny. She was thrilled to welcome each of her grandchildren and spent much of her time with them – each will tell you she was "the best Granny"! She was equally involved in each of their lives and many activities, including cooking meals for football teams, attending soccer games, dance performances and so much more. She built many memories with the grandkids, devoting much of her time and attention to them, including special trips to Wyoming and Tennessee.
Starting at a very young age, Karen's happy place was in a fabric department. Sewing was a true love and work of art for Karen – she always had a project in the works for others. She made countless outfits, quilts, pillowcases, backpacks, crocheted doilies, and so much more. She also loved cooking for the farmhands, friends, and family. Her talents touched lives near and far. She never met a stranger – everyone was welcome with Granny.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Kenneth Edwin O'Dell, her granddaughter Lilybeth Sparling, nephews, many aunts, uncles and cousins. Karen is survived by her three children, Donnie Moore and wife Jean of Kearney, MO, Connie Wilkins and husband Shawn of Spring, TX, and Laura Sparling of Kearney, MO. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Alan-Michael Sparling (Lexi), Caleb Wilkins (Jenna), Mikayla Wilkins, and Matthew Sparling (Arizona), along with three great grandchildren, Abel Sparling, Oliver Sparling and Forrest Wilkins.
Services will be Sunday, September 22, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Holt, MO. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm and burial at Antioch Cemetery, Holt, MO.
If you were the recipient of one of Granny's pieces of handiwork (quilt, doilies, etc.), feel free to bring it to the service to share and display for others to enjoy as we honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Antioch Cemetery, c/o Stith Funeral Home, Lathrop, MO 64465.
Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Lathrop. (816) 740-4658. Online guestbook at wwwstithfamilyfunerals.com
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