Karen (Ricks) Sopko

Karen Ricks Sopko, age 78, went to be with the LORD in Heaven on August 24, 2020, at her home in Houston, Texas. It was her wish to be in her home when the LORD was ready for her. HE honored her wish. She was born in Houston, Texas, April 2, 1942, to Morgan and Dody Ricks and was their firstborn. Three siblings followed in this family: Pam, Ann and Randy.

During her early education years the family located from Texas to Louisiana to Oklahoma and back to Texas where she graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1960. Karen then attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, until she married Gary Dennis Fine. Their son, Gary Dennis Fine, Jr (Denny) was born in 1963 while they lived in Lubbock, Texas. Once Gary finished college in Lubbock, they moved back to Houston. The marriage dissolved. Denny tragically passed away at age 6.

Karen was a member of First Baptist Church Houston for many years, was a member of the choir and even worked there in the office for a time. She went to work at Mustang Tractor where she met her lifelong friends, Margaret Hight and Veta Speights. Their friendship hit if off right from the start and the key punch operation department was never the same. They were constantly getting in trouble for laughing at work. Karen worked in the accounting department at ROC Carbon Company in Houston and spread her joy around there as well.

Karen married Loyd Sopko on Valentine's Day of 1977. They were soulmates in the deepest sense of the word. Karen became a mom to Kim,14, and Damaris, 8, instantly! Her love for those girls was obvious, and their love for her too! She was a wonderful Christian influence in their lives! Fun, funny and unconditional love was her daily walk! Her love for her newfound family was very strong! She loved dogs, dishes, teapots and cups, plants and flowers, jewelry and anything sparkly, fun hats, beautiful umbrellas, reading, small kitchen appliances and crafting of all sorts! She had many talents: crocheting, ceramics, sewing beautiful clothes, cooking Chinese fried rice in a wok and baking slightly crooked birthday cakes! :) Silliness was her specialty! She and Loyd became grandparents in 1983 when Kim had Tiffany Sharee. Six months later, Loyd died of a cancerous brain tumor, after less than 7 short years of marriage.

Karen was Memaw now! Damaris married Jim, and Kim married Terry. Karen became a Memaw again when Kim had Lindsey Grace in 1999.

She left in us a hole that only GOD can fill. And fill HE will.

Karen is predeceased by:

Son, Gary Dennis Fine, Jr. “Denny”, of Houston, Texas

Husband, Loyd Vernon Sopko, of Houston, Texas

Father, Morgan Ricks, of Hempstead, Texas

Mother, Dody Ricks Somerford, of Houston, Texas

Family and friends will gather to tell stories and share memories, during a celebration of Karen's life from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston. Following a private graveside service, Karen will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Rosehill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas.