Steed, Karen Kimmey   
	
LUFKIN -- Karen Kimmey Steed was born January 21, 1955, in Houston, 
Texas, and she entered her heavenly home on December 3, 2006. She 
was such a good shepherd; how fitting that she passed away at Good 
Shepherd Hospital in Longview, Texas. The majority of her life was 
spent in Lufkin, graduating from Lufkin High School in 1973. Karen 
obtained her undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State 
University in 1976, and received her masters in education in 1981. 
She began her teaching career at Lufkin State School, and then spent 
33 years in Lufkin I.S.D., teaching at Hackney, Brandon and Garrett. 
The last 10 years were spent at Anderson Elementary, where she felt 
so blessed to have been a part of such a caring and loving staff. 
Karen looked for special ways to make learning fun, such as her 
Mother's Day Tea, teaching sign language to her students, and her 
favorite being reading to students one on one in the hallways of 
school. Karen made her profession of faith at the age of nine, and 
continued her walk with the Lord as a member of Lufkin's First 
Baptist Church, and then later as a member of the First United 
Methodist Church. She was also an inspirational member of The Praise 
Ladies Sunday School Class, led by Kathy Thannisch. Karen had been 
described as a "Godly Woman" by many, and had touched many lives 
through her sweet and gentle spirit. One of her greatest passions was 
the Beth Moore Bible Study she attended on Monday evenings. Karen loved 
singing and playing the piano with her family, especially when 
performing at her parents' church. She constantly looked for ways to 
help others, always putting others first, and was truly the "hands and 
feet" of Jesus. Her other volunteer activities included The Junior 
League of Lufkin, of which she was currently a Sustaining Member. 
Preceding Karen in death were her father-in-law, Cloyce C. Steed; and 
brother-in-law, Sammy Dan Steed Sr. Karen is survived by the light of 
her life, her daughter, Stephanie of Gilmer; her husband, Stephen; 
son-in-law, Matthew Hyde of Gilmer; parents, Doris and Charles Kimmey of 
Henderson; brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Kathy Kimmey of Temple; 
sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Ronnie King of Lufkin; mother-in-law, 
Lillian Steed of Lufkin; nieces and nephews, Kelli and Brooks Kimmey of 
Temple, Kendall and Kyle King of Lufkin, Sammy Dan Steed Jr. of 
Orangefield, Julie Mahan of Katy, Brad Steed of Galveston, and Wendy 
Steed of Lufkin; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends; 
and lifelong friend, Darlene Allen. Pallbearers will be Brooks Kimmey, 
Kyle King, Dan Steed, Stan Anderson, David Allen, and Jeff Breckenridge. 
Expressions of sympathy in Karen's memory may be made to the Anderson 
Elementary Walking Track, 381 Champions Dr., Lufkin, TX 75901; or to a 
charity of your choice. Karen's family wishes to express their heartfelt 
gratitude to Dr. Thomas Chow and the loving and caring nurses in the 
intensive care unit at Good Shepherd Hospital. Memorial services for 
Karen will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, December 6, 2006, in 
the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin, with the Reverend H. 
Michael Tyson, the Reverend Carol C. Turner, and Pastor Bill Kuykendall 
officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Gipson-Metcalf 
Funeral Directors, with Todd Stracener as director. Friends are invited 
to visit with the family from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday evening, December 5, 2006, 
at Gipson-Metcalf Funeral Home. Express your thoughts and memories of 
Karen in the online Guest Book at www.mem.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 12/5/2006.