Karan was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2019 and died May 2, 2020 at the age of 58 with her family at her bedside.
Graveside Service: 10a.m., Thursday, May 7, at China Spring Cemetery, 15654 Old China Spring Rd. in China Spring.
Under Texas Mandate, 10 PEOPLE at the graveside set up, while all other attendees practice social distancing from afar.
Visitation: 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, in the Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel. Limited time is allowed per visit with social distancing being observed.
Drive thru Visitation: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at Lake Shore Funeral Home. You are asked to remain in your vehicle at all times.
Karan Denise Merenda was born July 22, 1961 in Waco. She was the second child born to her parents, James and Faye Robinson. Teresa and Jamie were blessed to be her sisters. Karan had so many talents during her life, but being a servant of the Lord was her greatest gift. Her beautiful smile and warm heart touched everyone. Karan required no frills, she enjoyed the simple things in life. She was the salt of the earth. Giving to others and never asking anything in return. When her feelings were hurt, she forgave. She believed in living the word of Christ and sharing His word with others.
Karan was a graduate of China Spring High School class of 1980. She met the love of her life, Jerome Merenda, at Bosqueville Baptist Church when they were teenagers. They married September 10, 1983 and were married for 35 years before Jerome was called home to heaven in 2019. Together they served the Lord, enjoyed their family, friends and community. Both were athletes themselves and enjoyed playing co-ed softball. The team consisted of 90% family members. Karan worked at Ascension Providence for 19 years in the Durable Medical Equipment Division.
They were blessed to have three wonderful sons, Tanner, Austin and Carson who they loved with all of their hearts. Karan and Jerome supported their boys in all of their many sporting activities no matter the location or the weather. Karan enjoyed being part of the MOM’s clubs for the sporting events. An important part of their lives was worshiping at the First Baptist Church of Crawford and teaching their sons about Christ. We know that Jesus said “Welcome home my faithful servant.”
She is survived by her children, Tanner, Austin and Carson Merenda; sisters, Jamie Wolfe and husband, James and Teresa Gilliam and husband, Dale; sisters-in-law, Donna Von Staden, Diane Schrimsher and husband, Ed, and Dorleen Brown and husband, Larry; brother-in-law, Ed Merenda and wife, Shelly; beloved aunts and uncles, Pauline Smith, Carolyn Alexander and husband, Wayne, Larry Childs and wife, Virginia, Darrell Lyons and wife, Lena; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She will be honorably escorted to her final resting place by Tanner Merenda, Austin Merenda, Carson Merenda, Ed Merenda, Dale Gilliam, and Trey Busby.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Karan’s honor to Crawford Baptist Church, 110 S. Ave. D, Crawford, TX 76638.
Place of Service: China Spring Cemetery , 15654 Old China Spring Rd,; China Spring, TX 76633
Print Obituary & Condolences
A dear and precious friend who truly had a servan’s heart!
A sweet and kind soul always smiling We will see you again. My condolences to all
Karan was a beautiful lady inside and out with love to share with so many and truly a servant of God. She will be sorely missed. I know she is with Jesus celebrating now.
Such a great lady. She will be missed
Teresa, you and your family are in my prayers. Thank you for the honor of sharing in her last days and for choosing me to be at your side during this most difficult of times. There truly are no words to describe you and the role you have played in Karan’s and all of your family’s lives. You are the glue that holds everyone together and i love you and all your family dearly.
So sorry to hear that the Lord has called Karan to come to Heaven so soon already, She will be missed here on earth for awhile until we all meet again. Prayers and Condolences to the families. See you again soon Karan.
Karan fought till the end, giving so much of her self for her boys even when she was sick tired and hurting. Rest high on that mountain.
Teresa and Jamie-
Karen was so special and always had a sweet smile for all her patrons at Providence Medical Supply. She always took good care of business with a smile. She will be missed by so many. She was such a blessing to so many.
I will be covering you all in faithful prayers as you walk through these days. You are loved.
So blessed to have known Karan and called her a friend, she will truly be missed but remembered by all.
So very sorry for the family loss. Love you all dear cousins. My prayers continue to be with you all. Karan will be dearly missed.
Karan and Jerome were the first, first responders on scene in June 1994 when my Mom died…. ? May she be reunited with Jerome in God’s presence and rest in Heavenly peace!!
Karan and her boys have been a joy in our lives and we will miss her terribly. We send our deepest condolences to Tanner, Austin & Carson and her family. God bless you all .
Teresa , So sorry for your loss . Karen was such a sweetheart . I will keep all your family as well as Karen’s in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this time. Hugs to each of you .
Saddened to hear of the loss of Karan. She was a very sweet person that I enjoyed attending school & being in athletics with. Later on I would see her from time to time at Providence Medical Equipment .Sending prayers of comfort to her sons and rest of her family
So sorry to hear of Karen’s passing she was such a loving and very giving sweetheart. I was blessed to have known her personally and thru work. My prayers are with the family at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Karan and her family. What a positive influence her and Jerome had in their community. They will be greatly missed.
Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where i am going. (John 4:1-4)
Such a sweet and gentle Lady!! I worked with her for many years and she was always the first to ask how she could help….my thoughts and prayers are with the family????
Such great memories of her smiles and conversations . Rest In Peace sweet friend Rhonda Smith Owens
Teresa, I am so very sorry for your loss of Karan. Her and Jerome both were such kind hearted people. Sending prayers for her children and you all.
What can you say Karen as as good a person as you could fine. When her and Jerome got married their life was dedicated to the Lords work. They helped me so much in youth group. The last ski trip we took vans Jerome and Karen in one they were always ready to help. The world won’t be the same without them. Karen we love you so much and will miss you so much especially your smile what a be
We were so saddened to hear this news. Karen was such a wonderful person. She and Jerome were the perfect pair, great helpers in their church and community and to anyone in need. We have good memories of times spent with both of them. Our thoughts are with all of her family and friends and especially her boys she loved so much.
Karan has been on my mind lately. Sadness fills me hearing that she has passed on. I know she is rejoicing with Jerome in heaven. Such a special family… Jerome and Karan left this world too soon. Carson, Austin, and Tanner, you are in our prayers. Reach out to those around you for support. ???
What can you say Karen as as good a person as you could fine. When her and Jerome got married their life was dedicated to the Lords work. They helped me so much in youth group. The last ski trip we took vans Jerome and Karen in one they were always ready to help. The world won’t e the same without them. Karen we love you so much and will miss you so much especially your smile what a be
I will really miss Karan, I’m so sorry for your loss. She will really be missed by everyone who knew her. I will be praying for the family and especially for her boys.
Karan was the kindest, sweetest and most giving person I’ve ever known, as was Jerome. She loved her boys with all her heart, We have great memories of the years spent with them at Bosqueville Baptist Church, Teresa, we are lifting you, their boys and all your family up in prayer.
Debbie and Bob Ballew
Teresa
I have no words. Please know that I am hugging you from a distance. I have and will continue to lift you and the family up in prayers.
Penny, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. Karan was so sweet. Go rest high on the mountain, Karan
May God comfort you boys with his up lifting arms. Karen was a special lady that love her Lord and her boys! She will be miss but she will be watching from heaven along with Jerome. What a honor it was to know them. Boys I love you. Thank you family for taking care of them
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I’m so saddened to learn of Karen’s passing., although I know she is with her Savior and Jerome.
Connie Balch Palmer
I was saddened to hear about Karan’s passing. She is no longer in pain, and is with her husband up above.
My family’s love and prayers go out to everyone in your family. God Bless you all.
I was so blessed to have met Karan and been in Wednesday night bible study with her . She was strong in her faith dealing with whatever life dealt her. She did not lose her joy in Jesus and one could see it in her face. Heaven is filled with her joy now.
Karan was generous and loving. Not many in this world
compare. God bless this special angel and her sisters and family.
Teresa , sending prayers your way to hug and comfort you.
I will always remember Karen and Jerome taking Alexis in after Awana’s. We had our own church, but Alexis wanted to attend church with her friends on Wednesday nights. They had the boys and I thought Oh Lord One More for them to handle until I can get there (I run the sound at church on Wed.s)? I think it made it easier with Karen and I knowing each other from high school. Karen was willing and so gracious to take one more on, week after week. Rest In Peace, sweet lady.
Karan was a wonderful friend. She was the picture of courage as she dealt with all the challenges of her life. She was so involved & supportive with Church, school and sports-always ready to lend a helping hand! She will be missed by the whole community of Crawford. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family!
A sweet friend, loving mom and always willing to help anyone. She was a great asset to have in our “mom’s sports club”. She will be greatly missed.
Sending “Nana” hugs to Tanner, Carson and Austin.
Words cannot express how Karen influenced our lives as well as all who knew her. She truly had a servants heart and lived for Christ daily. We loved our game nights and going out to eat on Fridays. She and Jerome are together again and watching over those boys she loved so much. Blessings on all that are left here to grieve her passing, but I feel her desire would be for each of us to continue to love her boys.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We love your sweet family and are here for you if you need us.
Please know we are praying you find strength and comfort in God during this difficult time.
Karen Jackson & Family
Teresa & Jamie
So sorry to hear the news.. Our prayers are with you and your families. Memories of Karan will warm your hearts until the day when you are once again reunited. Rest in peace sweet lady.
Our grief may be great, but we celebrate the reunion in Heaven.
Tanner, Austin, Carson.
What a proud legacy and name you have to carry on.
Your Mom and Dad were what so many of us wish we were, true servants of the Lord they loved, how they poured themselves into you and others.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ are here to help as we are needed and can. In Christ, you will never be alone…
We love you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Karan was a wonderful person. I have such good memories of her. She was a very sweet, supportive person.
May your family have peace knowing Karan is resting peacefully with her precious Lord.
With love and sympathy to Karan’s family. With that beautiful smile, she was always so sweet and kind, and I know that she will be missed.
There are so many words that could describe the kind of person that Karan was. The ones that come to my mind are best expressed in Proverbs 31:10-31. Who can find a virtuous woman? Karan Merenda exemplified that scripture all her life. I’m sure God placed many stars in her crown. Prayers for the boys and all the family.
I was so saddened to hear of Karan passing. Karan was a big hearted person, kind and so giving of herself. I have such good memories of Karan and Jerome. While still working at Providence and serving on the Annual Picnic, Karan and of course, Jerome were always volunteering to work and oh did they work. They were both eager to help from start to finish each and every year. Karan always had a smile and a kind word. Her heart soared when the boys came into their lives. She would always share with me, while even passing each other in the hallways at work, what sports the boys were in and how involved they were in their church. Karan will be sorely missed by all. She touched so many lives. My prayers are with you and the boys and all the family for Gods strength and peace now and in the days ahead. God bless you all.