Karen B. Jones

Karen B. Jones passed away peacefully on August 7, 2023, after battling breast cancer. Born in Hermann Hospital on November 6, 1956, Karen was a lifelong Houstonian, graduating from Waltrip High School and earning her bachelor of science degree from The University of Texas School of Nursing in Houston. While working as a psychiatric nurse at Hermann Hospital, she completed a master’s degree at Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing and soon moved to West Oaks Hospital first to manage the psychiatric unit for children and adolescents and then to work in hospital administration and as a director of nursing. In 1998 Karen began working at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as a specialist in healthcare quality and accreditation. She retired in 2007 but never stopped being a nurse, caring for family members, friends, and neighbors for the rest of her life. Karen believed strongly in the oath she took when she began her nursing career, always acting as a fierce advocate for her patients. Karen loved traveling, spending time outdoors, and exercising every day in her beloved water aerobics classes. She was an avid reader, helping to start a book club with friends from those classes. And she loved all kinds of animals, especially the dogs and cats she helped rescue and bring to live with her and her husband, but also the birds, possums, raccoons, lizards, toads, and even garden snakes in her backyard. Karen enjoyed good wine and good food and always liked to try new restaurants and different cuisines. She was particularly fond of the tradition of high tea. For many years, she hosted a holiday party high tea, and she helped organize a once-a-year high tea for the book club. Karen and her husband Mike also made sure they had high tea wherever it was available in their travels, including the UK and Canada. Karen was strong, brave, and loving. She cared deeply about her family and her wide network of friends and was always ready to help anyone who needed her. Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine Gallant Beard; her father, Clarence O. Beard; her aunt, Jimmie Gallant Spence; her uncle, David S. Gallant; and her brother, Paul Beard. She is survived by her husband, Mike Temple; her niece, Lisa Purdum (Jason), great nephew Anthony Purdum and great niece Isabella Purdum; her cousins Kristen Turner (Mike) and Nicole Turner; her cousins John Spence (Belinda) and Brianna and Brooke Spence; her brother-in-law Mark Temple; her closest and best friend Melinda Johnson (Lee) and their children Christopher and Karen Johnson; and many, many friends and people special to her, including Daniel, Lizandro, and Abraham Bustamante. A service to remember Karen and celebrate her life will take place on Friday, September 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, 14100 Memorial Drive, Houston. A reception will follow the service at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Drive, Houston. Karen has asked that in lieu of flowers, individuals contribute to their local SPCA or an animal charity of their choice.

Karen B. Jones

November 6, 1966 - August 7, 2023