Karen Hamm Wilkes

Left to carry on her legacy of JOY are her husband, Billy; children, Hannah & Miles; sister, Angela Moore (Michael); and nephews, Jacob and Gavin. Karen also leaves behind aunts, uncles and cousins.

Karen was born on August 22,1967 to Minnie Jean & Claudie Henry Hamm who both predeceased her. She also was predeceased by her brother, Claude.

Karen worked for many years as an accountant with Craven County Schools. She was smart yet humble & very good, both in her academic and professional years.

Although cancer did not define her it entered her life in 2015. She proceeded to fight over the last 7+ years through a significant amount of treatment and surgeries at Duke Cancer Center and CarolinaEast Cancer Center. She had an amazing attitude only matched by the care she received from all of her care providers. She would want us to thank each of you for your love and care.

We will be forever grateful for the love of our family, many friends and our church family that have been with us on this journey. In honor of a life well lived and in lieu of flowers you may remember Karen with a donation to First Baptist Church, Journey of Hope or Craven County Hospice. If not, just a reminder to simply find the JOY in the small things in life.

We will have a celebration of Karen’s life at First Baptist Church in New Bern on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11am with Dr. Richard Seagle officiating. She will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Memorial Park following the service.

Arrangements are in the care of Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.