Karen K Griffin, 67, of Arkadelphia, died Thursday, May 18, 2023, listening to 1970s soft rock, with her husband of 48 years at her bedside. She was born Jan. 10, 1956 in San Diego, to Paul and Kay Mitchell, later becoming the eldest of five children. Her family soon moved to El Dorado, Ark., where she grew up. She was a 1974 honors graduate of El Dorado High School.
Preceding in death were her parents and a brother, Brian Mitchell. She was raised a Methodist, often attending church where her mother played the organ and piano. Survivors include her husband, Melvin Douglas Griffin of Arkadelphia; a son, Laine Griffin (Bria) of Westlake, La.; a brother, Brent Mitchell (Jill) of El Dorado; two sisters, Paula Bilo (Bobby) of El Dorado and Donna Robinson (Duane) of Bismarck, Ark.; three grandchildren, Brayden, Daphne and Mark Allen Griffin, all of Westlake; and several nieces and nephews.
Karen started her career in El Dorado as a keypunch operator. She retired after spending a dozen years as office manager at Home Furniture in Lake Charles, La. Over the years, she lived in Little Rock, Bossier City, La., Decatur, Ala., and Lake Charles, which she and her husband left in 2020 after back-to-back hurricanes. Karen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading (particularly Stephen King novels), watching TV and old movies, cross-stitch, camping and listening to classic rock. She was known for her sharp wit. As a teen, she enjoyed singing with the EHS choir and Madrigal Singers.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at Liberty Baptist Church in Lawson, Ark., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m. at the church.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.