Karen Harper arrived in this world on February 3, 1958. She ran into the arms of Jesus on October 1, 2025, with her close family around her.

Karen was the first angel born to her parents, Carla Jean Smith Harper and her spouse, Kenneth Wayne Harper. In her formative years, Karen was privileged to attend schools along the side of her brother, Douglas Wayne Harper, in Australia, Venezuela, and later in the United States. Karen and Doug also had an adoptive brother, which was also their uncle, John Enoch Smith.

Her brother Doug has a fond memory of his sister. When he was approximately two years old or under, he could not pronounce Karen’s name, so he would call her “Ra-Ra.” This is what he called her all her life! She LOVED it!

Karen has worn many “hats” in her lifetime including: a school teacher for the Apostolic Church Academy in Fort Stockton, Texas; a proficient and efficient Motel Clerk and Night Auditor to several Motel Franchises; and many other various employments and servitude opportunities.

Karen was born again into the Kingdom of God in Fort Stockton in 1976. She was a member of First Pentecostal Church in Bryan, Texas. Her first love was to please God and to be a loving servant to Him. She had an extraordinary faith and courage and was full of the Holy Ghost. She loved with her whole heart and deeply cared for others. Her walk with God was phenomenal.

Close to her heart, she was blessed with two daughters: Dana Jean Deaton LaChance and Jana Allene Deaton Esparza. She was a loving mother.

She welcomed four grandsons: Logan Jeffrey LaChance (wife Kourtney), Justice Tyler Esparza, Baylor Wade Esparza (wife Leslie), Regan Seth Esparza and one grand-daughter, Skyler Jo Kelly. Skyler was the catalyst of Karen being in Bryan. Skyler called her Gramma “Bigga” because she couldn’t say ‘Grandma’ when she was younger.

Preceding Karen in death were her parents, Kenneth Wayne Harper and Carla Jean Harper; Grandparents, Harrison Graham Arnold and Mary Irene Powell Arnold, Carl Ollie Smith and Doyle Annie George Smith; and one grand-daughter, Audrey Hope Esparza.

She is survived by her brother Douglas Wayne Harper, brother/uncle, John Enoch Smith; two daughters, Dana Jean LaChance and Jana Allene Esparza; and two special aunts, Betty Coffman and Georgeanne Carroll; and many close cousins, relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be administered by the Trevino-Smith Funeral Home of Bryan, Texas. Services will be conducted by Pastor Kevin Timms of First Pentecostal Church of Bryan, Texas.

Pallbearers are her adored grandsons: Logan LaChance, Baylor Esparza, Reagan Esparza, Tyler Esparza, along with John Esparza, a close relative; Andrew Klann, a special cousin; Doug Harper, her brother; and Monty Morgan, a special cousin but more like a brother.

Interment will be at Bryan City Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the First Pentecostal Church of Bryan, Texas.