Obituary of Karen Louise Roe

Karen Louise (MacLaggan) Roe, age 87, of Haines City, Florida, was called Home on Wednesday, April 12,2023. She was born on January 8, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Robert and Louise (Schott) MacLaggan.

Karen is survived by her daughters: Susan Roe Cervenka of San Marcos, California; Sandra Edds of Owensboro, Kentucky; and daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Wes Price of Francis, Utah; and six grandchildren; Christine, Tyler, Davey, Benji, Chesney, and Camryn. She is also survived by her spouse James E. Roe of Haines City; and only sister, Roberta Hand of Auburn, Alabama.

Karen moved with her family to Davenport in 1943 as she entered second grade, later graduating from Haines City High School in 1954. She received an Associate of Arts Degree from Stephens College for Women, Columbia, Missouri in 1956, attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, earning her Bachelor’s of Arts in Education in 1958. She furthered her education earning two Master's Degrees from Central Missouri State, in Elementary Education and in Special Education. In 1960 she married James Everett Roe, a United States Naval Aviator, and moved to Oxnard, California where she welcomed her first two daughters. In 1964 the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Jim took a position with Trans World Airlines as a pilot, and Karen pursued her passion for teaching in Grandview, Missouri for the next 28 years. In 2001 she returned to her beloved ‘old Florida’.

Karen was a loving mother and grandmother who gave the world to her family. She was active with the local Garden Club, Historical Society of Davenport and Haines City, and spent time volunteering with Friends of the Library. She was passionate about painting with watercolors, collecting books and reading, whether it was with her book clubs or her precious grandbabies. She traveled to hundreds of worldly destinations learning about new cultures and sharing her kindness. She made many Christian service missions abroad to Peru, the orphanages of Myanmar, and Israel where she was baptized in the Jordan River. She also assisted with four memorable medical mission river trips on the Amazon, bringing medical supplies and services to children. Karen later journaled, “While serving the Lord as he had directed me. This is my touching reward, to be of God’s Service.”

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on April 29th and her Celebration of Life will commence at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church (104 Scenic Highway) in Haines City, with interment to follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Oak Ridge Funeral Care of Haines City.