In the small town of Antlers, Oklahoma, a quiet light has dimmed with the passing of Karen Yvonne Spann, a woman whose presence could be felt as much as it could be seen. For 74 beautiful and fulfilling years, the world was blessed with her radiant presence. On October 14, 2024, God made good on His faithful promise and called her home, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith.


Karen's love was like a warm embrace, radiating from her blue eyes and through the softest touch of her hand. Her spirit was a wellspring of empathy, always willing to listen to the troubles of others, offering understanding and comfort over a glass of Lipton iced tea. By the time you left her side, you felt renewed, knowing you were loved by her and, through her, by God.


Karen never sought to be a burden. She lived to serve, to give, and to nurture. She spent decades caring for others as a respiratory therapist, her hands skilled not only in healing the body but in offering solace to the spirit. However she was needed at Pushmataha Hospital, she touched countless lives with her quiet strength. Even in retirement, she remained a servant, continuing her work through her beloved Westside Baptist Church. Karen was a leader, a teacher, and a faithful steward of the church, whether in the Sunday school classroom or the kitchen, preparing meals with her dear friend Betty. She was also a dependable acting board member for the Antlers Housing Authority, where she found joy in assisting Audrey in the office, always lending a helping hand wherever she could.


Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she shared it generously with all who knew her. A true servant of God, Karen's devotion was unwavering. She kept her church running smoothly, stocking supplies and managing the treasury with the same care she gave to those she loved. Her home was her sanctuary, where she welcomed family and friends, always with a smile, a laugh, and a listening ear.


Karen's porch became a haven for conversation, a place where she and her dear friend and neighbor Mark would sit, side by side, reading the newspaper he faithfully delivered each week. She cherished the help of her neighbor Richard. She found joy in the company of her friend Martha, often babysitting her beloved puppy, Cooper. But it was the weekly sleepovers with her great-grandbabies, Gracelyn and Gibson, that truly kept her spirit young. They were her world, and while every child in the family was precious, Gracelyn held a special place in her heart-a fact the whole family knew and lovingly accepted.


Karen raised her four children, Robert, Sandy, Becky, and Chris, with fierce love and deep faith, ensuring their lives were built on the foundation of the Lord. As a single mother, she never wavered in her devotion to them, always keeping a warm home, a full heart, and meals cooked with care. Her pride in her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren was boundless, as was her love for her nieces, nephews, and the friends she embraced as family.


Karen is survived by her sister, Linda Johnson, and her husband, Arthur; sister-in-law, Judy Coggins, her sons, Robert Horner and his wife Suzette, Chris Spann; and her daughters, Sandy Long and Becky Horner. She leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews: her "first baby"- Terrill Coggins, Twala Coggins and her husband Lee, Jack and his wife Angie, Chad and his wife Andrea, Tammy, Justin and his wife Ashley, and Chris, and Michael Coggins and wife Brittany. Her grandchildren, whom she adored, include Tedi Horner, John Long, Savanna Long, Tami Keel and her husband Waylon, Dillon Horner, Tarron horner and his wife Ellen, and Aiden Spann. Her great-grandchildren, who brought so much joy to her life, are Tristyn, Andi, Haiven, Brysen, Bohdi, Langsten, Ben, Gracelyn, and Gibson. A host of other cherished family members and friends celebrate the love she gave so freely.


Even as life presented its battles, Karen faced them with a smile so bright it reached her eyes. Her laughter, her wit, and her joy in making others smile became part of the legacy she leaves behind. A legacy built not only through her service and her faith but through the countless lives she touched, the love she freely gave, and the way she made each person feel seen, heard, and cared for.


Now, Karen rests in the arms of Jesus, reunited with those she loved who have gone before her. She is preceded in death by her mother, Hattie Mae and stepfather, Les Oldham; father, Cornell Coggins; her brothers, Royce and Stanley Coggins; her great-nephew, Clint Kirk; her great-grandson, Wesley Long; and her dear friend, Patsy Etchison. Her spirit remains in the hearts of all those whose lives were blessed by her love.

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 11AM at Wewstside Baptist Church.