Karen Davis

Karen was born in Texarkana, Arkansas on July 11, 1944 to parents William Henry “Dub” Harrison and Joyce Thomas Harrison. To her friends, she was Karen, to her kids Mom, and to her grandkids, she was Nana.

Karen grew up in Lubbock, Texas and graduated from Monterey High School. In 1966, she received her Bachelor’s in Education from Texas Tech University where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. In 1978, she received her Master’s in Education from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State.

As Guy was a pilot in the US Air Force, they were moved throughout the US. Karen had a very successful and fulfilling career in education teaching elementary school and raising two boys.

Then in 1980, the family transferred to Germany. Karen taught school and completed additional graduate work studying the British infant school system. Karen and family were fortunate to be able to travel throughout Europe. The educator in her loved to read about local history, see new places, and enjoy those experiences with her family.

In 1985, they were transferred back to Austin. Karen’s career transitioned out of the classroom and into assistant principal positions in Del Valley ISD, Kyle ISD and finally Patton Elementary in Austin ISD where she worked until retirement. In addition, she was a principal for AISD summer school, taught classes at Austin Community College and served with Leadership Austin.

Karen leaves many memories with her children, Gary Trenton “Trent” Davis and wife Michelle, their daughter Emerson Davis and son Evan Davis, and Gregory Scott Davis with daughters Sarah Davis and Kameron Davis all of Austin, Texas.

Karen is survived by her sister Carol H. Jackson and husband J. Frank Jackson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Carol and Franks children, Jeff Jackson and wife Lauren, children Harper and Jennings of Reno, NV and Jamie and husband John Cooper, daughter Collins, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A visitation will take place on March 8th, 2021, 5 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home at 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, Tx 78749.

She will be buried on March 23, 2021 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen’s name to Westlake United Methodist Church, Austin TX 78746.