Karen Frances Bates Ives' Obituary
Karen Frances Bates Ives, 68, of Garland, Texas, died January 10, 2021 in Plano, Texas from complications from kidney disease.
She is survived by her husband, Harold “Ike” Ives of Garland, Texas. Daughter Carrie Ives and husband Tim Isakson of Richardson, Texas and daughter Mary Paulin and husband Jeremy of Sachse, Texas, sister Beverly Frey of Plano, Texas, brother John Bates and wife D’Alan of Waco, Texas, grandchildren Steffan and Opal Isakson of Richardson, Texas.
She was born April 27, 1952 to Dr. Richard “Dick” Bates and Norma Caplinger Bates in Dallas, Texas. After growing up in Irving, Texas, she began college at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas where she met her husband Harold “Ike” Ives. They married on May 20, 1972 in Irving, Texas. She accompanied her husband to several military posting including Germany where she gave birth to her older daughter Carrie in 1975. After returning from Germany, they settled in East Texas near Jefferson where she gave birth to her younger daughter Mary in 1979.
With her life centered on God and her family, she quickly became active in her church, singing in the choir, assisting with the “Girls in Action”, the youth groups, church plays, and Vacation Bible School. As her children grew, she helped out with their Camp Fire and Girl Scout troops.
She returned to school at East Texas Baptist University where she earned her Bachelor's degree in business in 1981 and in 1984 earned a degree in secondary education, emphasis in biology and history.
She began her teaching career in Hughes Springs, Texas where she taught high school from 1985 through 1987. Starting in 1987, she began substitute teaching for Jefferson ISD where her daughters were students. From 1992 – 1994, she was involved in computerizing the library and worked in Jefferson’s first alternative placement campus. Then in 1995, she began teaching special education for all grades for Jefferson ISD. She supported the Band Boosters including working in the concession stand at sport events. She attended school football and basketball games cheering on her students, always encouraging them in both school and athletics. She was a member of the Association of Texas Professional Educators participating in local activities and various conferences.
She liked to knit or crochet while relaxing in front of a good movie, play board games with family and friends, and she was always in the middle of at least one good book! When the opportunity arose, she loved to travel whether it was to see family and friends or to discover new places. When her grandson was born, she discovered the fun of scrapbooking and ladies' retreats where she filled lots of photo albums with memories of her grandchildren.
After retiring from Jefferson ISD in 2012, they moved to Garland, Texas to be closer to family. When planning the move, she had no idea she would end up assisting in the birth of her granddaughter!
She joined Lavon Drive Baptist Church in Garland, Texas where she wasted no time getting involved, including her community group, various bible studies, women’s ministry, winter camp, Vacation Bible School, and signing for the deaf ministry.
Karen always had a smile for everyone and loved giving hugs to show her love and emotional support. She was quick with words of encouragement when needed but wasn’t afraid to set you straight if you strayed. She never let her physical issues keep her from being happy and the joy and peace of God shone through her. She had great love for God, her family and friends.
Karen, you will be greatly missed!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Kidney Fund, kidneyfund.org.
Please click on the link below to view the livestream of the service
https://livestream.com/accounts/24262727/events/9496173
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