Karen Kay Parkins

Karen Kay Parkins passed away suddenly on October 29, 2017. She was born October 22, 1961 to the Reverend Richard and Norma Johnson in Danvers Massachusetts. As a proud "Army Brat" she traveled with her family throughout her childhood, living in California, New York, Europe, and Texas. She attended AFCENT American School in Brunssum, The Netherlands, and graduated from Copperas Cove High School in 1979. She received a degree in early childhood development from Central Texas College.

She met her husband, Boyd Parkins, in Texas and they were married in 1980. They celebrated thirty-seven years of marriage this month. They had three children; Josh Parkins, Jeni Parkins, and Jack Parkins. They moved from Texas to the Kansas City Area in 1984.

Karen was a caring and creative preschool teacher. She worked at several area preschools throughout her career, most recently at Woodland Early Learning Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Karen loved gardening, cooking for her family, reading, and sewing. She enjoyed working on family genealogy. She spent many seasons working at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival where she and others wore beautiful costumes she designed and sewn herself. She was a talented miniaturist and created furnishings for her beloved dollhouses.

Karen is loved and missed by many, including her husband Boyd, her children Joshua, Jeni, and Jack, her sister Donna Long, her nephews and cousins, and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Norma Johnson, her brother Timothy Johnson, her sister Maureen Johnson, and her beloved "Grammy" Edna Dyer.