Karen Sue Grissom was born on January 20, 1945 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Jim and Jody Grissom. Karen Sue Brand passed from this life and into God’s hands in the early morning hours on April 7, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 73.
Karen is survived by her husband, Phillip Brand Sr, of Oklahoma City, son Phillip Brand Jr and his wife Sally of Oklahoma City, son Michael Brand of Carrollton, Texas, daughter Angela Kirkpatrick-Selby, brother James Grissom, Jr and sister Debbie Hoffman, all of Oklahoma City. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Willow, Raven, Lily and Drake as well as one great grandson, Ezra. Karen was preceded in death by her infant son, Rodney Brand, sister, Linda Jones, father, James Grissom, Sr and mother, Betty Jo Grissom.
Karen graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1963. She married Phillip Brand in June of that same year, living all her years in Oklahoma City. The couple welcomed three children into their home and Karen fell naturally into the role of full-time mother and homemaker. Her children remember her as a kind and loving mother who endeavored to teach them right from wrong, encouraged them to pursue their goals and provided them unconditional love and emotional support at times when life got tough.
Karen loved her family dearly and she enjoyed planning and celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions including celebrating the achievements of her children. When her children grew older, Karen worked briefly as an administrative specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and then later as a retail clerk at the Party Place. We are so grateful that she had chosen Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior four decades ago and that she is now walking with God.
The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff at Oklahoma Heart Hospital, the Integris Family Care South Clinic and Integris Southwest Medical Center for their compassionate care.