It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Marie Blalock, age 79, on March 31, 2025, in Plainview, TX, surrounded by her loving family. Arrangements are under the supervision of Bartley Funeral Home of Plainview.

Karen was born on February 28, 1946, in San Jose California to Katherine Brockwell. She was raised the first 3 years of her life by her mother, Grandmother Kaye, and her 2 aunts, Jean, and Birdie Brockwell.

At the age of 3, her mother married Wayne Perry, who adopted Karen as his own. The family moved to Washington State, and in 1953, they moved to California and settled in Anaheim. The family grew to 7 children while they lived in Anaheim.
Her siblings include Larry, who preceded her in death, and Karen is survived by her other five siblings; sisters Sunny, Lucy, and Judy and brothers Ed and Dan who referred to her as 'Queenie' (a nickname that stuck with her for life) and is also survived by her grandchildren Thomas Wayne Blalock II (Wife Malissa Blalock and their children William and Ivy Blalock) and Kimberly Rojas (Husband Jose Rojas and their children Luna and Tomas Rojas).Karen attended school in Anaheim and graduated from Savanah High School in Anaheim in 1964. Her class was the first graduating class. During her teenage years, Karen was very involved in a service organization called the International Order of Rainbow. She served in most of the offices in her chapter and held the highest office, worthy advisor, in 1965. Her installation was very formal, and her brothers and sisters will not forget it. (FYI James Blalock who she was dating, served as her escort.) When Karen graduated from high school, she became an employee at North American Rockwell (where her father worked as a clerk typist). This was her first full-time job. Shortly after starting work, she moved into her own apartment with a girl friend in Long Beach, CA. She met James (Jim) Blalock at the Long Beach Pike (a permanent carnival on Long Beach pier.) They fell in love and got married in April 1965, in Palm Springs, CA. They had their first son Thomas Wayne that was born at the Long Beach Naval Hospital on 9/28/1965. They moved to North Carolina when Jim's navy commitment was finished. They settled in Wilmington, NC to raise their family. Karen was a stay-at-home mom. Her second son, Christopher James was born in May 1969. They remained there many years until their divorce in 2009. Karen's son Thomas married Laura and had 2 children, Kimberly and Thomas II. Christopher never married. Karen worked at CPC from 5/2009-9/2014. where she later retired.

After her divorce, she moved to Carolina Beach, where she met the love of her life, Dennis Newell in 2010. They had many happy years together. Karen lost her son Christopher in 2013, and Dennis in 2015. At that time, she moved onto her son Thomas's property in Watha, NC where she lived until 2024. Karen returned to California to visit infrequently. The last visit was in July 2018 to see her sister and aunt. Karen was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's/Dementia around 2018 and remained active and independent for many years. She was happy living in her own home on her son Thomas's property and enjoying all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved attending church at Forest Hills Baptist Church and spending time with her friends at the Pender Adult Senior Center daily and taking care of her tomatoes and chickens.

Karen then moved to Plainview, Texas some time after her son Thomas's passing in 2023 for the remainder of her long and enriching life where she enjoyed sweets and walks around the duck pond. Karen loved people and loved Jesus. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.