Karen Powe

Karen Jen&egrave Watkins, born to Hugh and Violet Watkins, lived the life of a nomad as her father's country club managerial position moved them throughout the Midwest and South during the 1940s and 50s. It was appropriate then that she would marry a man, Marc Powe, who would continue to move her throughout this great country and to several others in his quest to save the world. Though she had no formal training within the military intelligence and defense worlds, she, too, was invested in saving people. In the 50s, she arranged and participated in sit-ins for racial equality; in the 60s, she drove minority voters in urban settings to the inconvenient voting sites meant to discourage minority voting. She also argued for equal rights among military wives. Despite being the wife of an officer, Karen took up the cause that wives of enlisted personnel should have equal privileges on Army posts as their husbands were just as patriotic, brave, and deserving. In the 70s, Karen became an employment placement officer, often finding jobs for recently released prisoners, and took a special interest in many of her clients. In the 80s and 90s, she taught ESL to people she met around the world. As the wife of a Defense Attaché, Karen also loved entertaining families abroad, learning their customs and traditions. In fact, those who knew Karen best understood her passion for befriending people of every race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. She did not judge; she helped. She did not disparage; she encouraged.
As a mother, she was a hoot. She dressed up as "Superwoman"; wore capes; threw the best birthday parties (including dog birthday parties); and was always the "classroom mom," "neighborhood mom," "soccer coach," and "life coach." Her daughters, Michelle and Alexandra, both athletic and active, harbored a secret - their mother was an unbelievable klutz. But Karen was undeterred, always participating and involved with her children: Breaking her toe during a game of duck, duck, goose that ended with the girls' soccer team carrying her back to the car; falling hard during an ice skating party that ended with the girls' friends all dragging her across the arena to safety; taking martial arts and sparring classes that ended with people (including her own daughter) fearfully allowing her to hit them but never striking back. But she also took over the duck, duck, goose soccer team when the coach became ill and led them to several undefeated seasons. Whatever she lacked in coordination, she made up for in tenacity, love, humor, and courage.
Even into her sixties, Karen always had a cause which sometimes made things difficult for her family as she was always boycotting one company or another for inhumane policies or social injustices. The most common phrase around Karen was, "Can we buy this? Is this company okay?" Despite living in another state, she bought a minivan for grandchildren so when they came to visit they would be comfortable. When she could no longer drive, it was fitting that her van went to an animal rescue organization called "Street to Sheets." The rescue van was appropriately named, "Karen."
As a wife, she followed her husband around the world in his pursuit of gathering intelligence and ensuring national security. In fact, in a now famous act of unparalleled bravery and clumsiness, Karen was able to secure the picture of the undercarriage of a Soviet tank in the late 1970s that both the Pentagon and White House had wanted for decades. Chased by the KGB, the GDP (Iraqi Intelligence), and other foreign agencies around the world in many undisclosed locations, Karen was always cool under pressure. Though it was her husband who earned multiple medals and distinctions of bravery and patriotism, much of Karen's contributions to her neighbors, military families, and fellow countrymen and women remain undocumented.
Though her handmade leotard Superwoman costume was just for fun, Karen Powe really was a superwoman. At long last, however, not even Superwoman Karen had the power to fight Alzheimer's and succumbed to it on December 24, 2017, but she will be forever remembered by her family for her strength and dignity and beauty. By her grandchildren -- Kerri, Katie, and Tommy Allred -- and all of their many friends whom Karen (known to them as Mimom) took under her wing, the sentiment is best wrapped up by one precious childhood buddy, Katie Bates:
"My favorite memory of Mimom was the time I spent the night when she was visiting and there was an awful thunderstorm. Katie [Allred] and I were terrified to sleep, so Mimom sprinkled fairy dust over us and on our pillows to protect us from the storm and help us fall asleep. She was truly full of magic."
There is no doubt, Karen "Mimom" Powe was truly full of magic.

In replace of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Karen's name or the animal rescue @ PayPal.me/streetstothesheets

Karen is survived by her husband, daughters, son-in-law, Robb Allred, and grandchildren. She is also survived by the brothers and sisters she never had: Stephen and Barbara Powe, Chris and Sandy Powe, Diana Powe and Stephanie Lourenco, cousin Vernita Clark, her partner-in-crime growing up, and all their children, whom she loved very much.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at the Isle of Watercrest, 200 East Debbie Lane, Mansfield, Texas 76063.

UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION:
The memorial service has been relocated.

A memorial service will be held at the La Quinta Inn, 1503 Breckenridge Road (Off of Debbie Lane) in Mansfield, Texas on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.