Karen Frances Bates Ives, 68, of Garland, Texas, died January 10, 2021 in Plano, Texas from complications from kidney disease.
She is survived by her husband, Harold “Ike” Ives of Garland, Texas. Daughter Carrie Ives and husband Tim Isakson of Richardson, Texas, and daughter Mary Paulin and husband Jeremy of Sachse, Texas, sister Beverly Frey of Plano, Texas, brother John Bates and wife D’Alan of Waco, Texas, grandchildren Steffan and Opal Isakson of Richardson, Texas.
She was married to Ike on May 20,1972 in Irving, Texas. She graduated from East Texas Baptist University with Bachelor’s degrees in business and secondary education.
She began her teaching career in Hughes Springs, Texas where she taught high school from 1985 through 1987. Starting in 1987, she began substitute teaching for Jefferson ISD where her daughters were students. From 1992 – 1994, she was involved in computerizing the library and worked in Jefferson’s first alternative placement campus. Then in 1995, she began teaching special education for all grades for Jefferson ISD. She supported the Band Boosters including working in the concession stand at sport events. She attended school football and basketball games cheering on her students, always encouraging them in both school and athletics. She was a member of the Association of Texas Professional Educators participating in local activities and various conferences.
She was always active in her local church, most recently Lavon Drive Baptist in Garland, Texas, where she enjoyed bible study and women’s ministry. She enjoyed knitting or crocheting, playing board games, reading, scrapbooking and travel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Kidney Fund, kidneyfund.org.