Karen Ketcher

Karen Ketcher, daughter of Sherman Fielden Coombes and Ada Elizabeth (Duncan) Coombes was born May 17, 1949 in Westville, Oklahoma and departed this life on April 6, 2020 in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 70 years, 10 months and 6 days.

Karen was a lifelong member of Baron Baptist Church. A graduate of Stilwell High School, she went on to attend college at Northeastern State University. She worked hard to provide for her family. Karen held positions in the School Superintendent’s Office at the Adair County Courthouse, Bureau of Indian Affairs and was still currently employed at Cherokee Nation as the Director of Self Governance. She was a woman of God that had a great love for her family. “Granny Karen” was loved by many and was proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During her free time, Karen could be found somewhere supporting her children or grandchildren in whatever they were doing or spending time with her family at family craft days.

Karen also had an affinity for sewing. A talented seamstress, she sewed her daughter’s prom dresses and often mended clothes and dresses for many others. A faithful follower of Christ, Karen was a constant at Baron Baptist Church, never missing a service. She loved her church family and was always supportive of youth activities at the church.[Office1] Karen was also a big supporter of the annual Adair County Fair and all the kids who participated in it. She believed in the values that raising show animals developed in youth and wanted to do her part in supporting the kids who worked to developed those values.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ronald Ketcher and brother in laws Gene and Ralph Ketcher.

Karen is survived by a very loving family that includes; her children; Shawna Renee Calico , Jeffery “Chig” Ketcher all of Stilwell, OK, granddaughters: Taryn King and husband JC, Hailey Cochran, Chelsea Bunch, Henlie Ketcher, Haven Ketcher, grandson; Beau Hamlin, great grandson; Brantlee King, great granddaughter; Blakely Hamlin, sisters ;Mary Caviness and husband Jerry, Lena Worley, Glenda Clinton and husband Earl, brother; Sherman Coombes II and wife Henry, sister in law; Pam Ketcher, special friends; Jacob Black, Canaan Duncan, Londa Cox, Rebecca Robbins, Ethan Green, Tyler Thomas and her entire Cherokee Nation work family, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends also survive her.