Karen Cox Royal

Karen Mae Cox was born September 21, 1941 to Shorty and Ethel Mae Cox in a 2 story house on Rose Hill Road which now occupies The Rose Hill Christian Church. They lived there until 1944 when they moved a few blocks South to West Showalter. Karen graduated from Rose Hill High School in May of 1959. The day after graduation she started working at The Rose Hill State Bank and worked there until her retirement on December 30, 2005….46 1/2 years total. She worked for 3 generations of the Waitt family, G.H. Waitt, Sr., G.H. Wait, Jr., and G.H. “Rocky” Waitt III. Karen appreciated the banking knowledge of co-worker Thelma Futhey in helping her in her banking career.

Karen was grateful to her brother-in-law Steve Carr for introducing her to his co-worker Gerry Luznicky who in turn introduced her to the love of her life and husband Ray Royal. Karen and Ray were married for 33 years when he passed away in 2007.

Karen was a member of The Rose Hill United Methodist Church and The Rose Hill Senior Center.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Hayward Merrill Cox. She is survived by her sisters Cheryl (Steve) Carr and Shelly (Matt) Bates. Her nephews Brett (Angie) Carr, Travis (Susy) Carr, Ryan (Kristin) Bates, Brandon (Jenny) Bates, nieces Erin Carr Hamell, Whitney (Cody) Knuth, Alex Cox, great-nephews Logan Carr, Cooper Bates, Graham Knuth, Parker Hamell, great-nieces Molly Bates, Libby Bates, Riley Carr, Piper Hamell and Kendyl Knuth; sister-in-law Mable Heft. Her nieces and nephews were the light of her life and she enjoyed attending their school activities and all of the sports they participated in.

Visitation will be 5-8pm Thursday, April 14, at Smith Mortuary in Derby. Funeral services 10:00 am Friday, April 15, at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church, followed by interment in the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorials have been established with The Rose Hill United Methodist Church, 19551 SW Butler Rd, PO Box 189, Rose Hill, KS 67133, or The Rose Hill Senior Center, 217 E. Silknitter, PO Box 337, Rose Hill, KS 67133.