Karen Lynn Seals was born September 3, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois to Emma J.
Seals and Leonard (Pro) Beverly. She accepted Christ at the early age of 5, and
was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1968 at Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church
in Chicago.
Karen attended Kohn Elementary School and graduated from Fenger High
School in 1980. Karen was a cheerleader for the Fenger Titans throughout her high
school years. She was an Advanced Honor student and excelled in all her classes.
She also earned dual credits from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). While
in high school, she was employed at the Heritage Pullman Bank as a data entry
operator. After graduating from Fenger High School, Karen began her college
career at St. Xavier University in Chicago, majoring in Computer Science, and
also worked at Citicorp as a Programmer. She has continuously worked toward
earning her full college degree.
Karen was extremely intelligent and articulate - at 4 years old, she exceeded
her older brother and sister in reading college level books that their "mommy"
brought home. She was able to properly enunciate and dissect multi-syllable
words. She was always quick-witted and possessed a remarkable sense of humor,
and she loved laughter.
Karen moved to Rockford, Illinois with her sister in 1999. While in Rockford,
she joined and attended Gethsemane Christian Church under the leadership of Rev.
Bruce Carter. She enjoyed going to church and worshipping God, and encouraged
others to attend as well.
Within the last six years, Karen made great strides on her journey. She started
taking on-line classes and was gainfully employed; maintaining standards and
stability in her life. She loved her family, appreciated their support, and always
wanted to give back. She hosted the last two Thanksgiving dinner for her sister
and friends.
Karen departed this life for a better life on December 8th, 2016. She was
preceded in death by her mother, Emma J. Seals-Owen, her father, Leonard (Pro)
Beverly, Sr., her step-father, Elander (Billy) Owen, her brother, Edward Seals, Sr.,
step-brother, Keith Owen and brother-in-law, Robert F. Higgins.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her sister, Joyce D. Higgins; stepsisters
Sharon Foster and Catherine Owen; her half-brother, Leonard Beverly, Jr.;
her nephews Carrington Seals and Edward Seals, Jr; and special friends Tranae
Cade, Adrienne Walker, and Maurice Johnson; and a host of aunts, an uncle,
nieces, cousins, friends and neighbors.