Karen Lee Jones Thompson O'Briant, May 17, 1952 - April 27, 201,2 Karen O'Briant, beloved wife of Mickey O'Briant, passed away on Friday, April 27th at 2:30 pm in Richmond, VA after a long and arduous battle with breast cancer. Karen and her husband Mickey had been in Virginia Beach attending a class at Atlantic University when Karen became severely ill from sudden complications due to her cancer. Karen was 59 years old and she has been a long time resident of Sweetwater. Karen was born in Denver, Colorado on May 17, 1952 to Ada Glenell and Richard Wesley Jones who are now both deceased. She is survived by her husband Mickey and ex-husband Barry Thompson. She has two brothers Gary Jones and Paul Jones of Denver and one half-sister, Betty Ferraro, retired Downey USD School Board member, now residing in Irvine, California. She has two sons by her previous marriage, Jeff Thompson, currently residing in Colorado, and Jon and wife Kristie Thompson who lives in Georgetown, Texas. She has two step-sons Michael O'Briant and Paul O'Briant of Waco and three granddaughters Malee, Lana, and Layla Thompson. Karen worked for Scott and White in Temple, Texas for over 25 years serving as the Executive Administrator for the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. After marrying Mickey and leaving this position she continued to work from home in this same capacity taking on additional responsibilities for the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologist on the national level. Karen officially retired in November 2010 where she was presented with an official State of Texas Proclamation for her dedicated service and she was also presented with a Texas flag that had flown over the state capital in Austin. Karen was also inducted into the prestigious TAOG Hall of Fame at the Scott and White Campus for her many years of dedicated service and support to the OB/Gyn Doctors who practice across the State of Texas. During Karen's lengthy battle with breast cancer, she was a champion to many others who are battling this disease through her support and positive uplifting in several online cancer support groups. Her positive sunshine attitude has helped many who are battling this terrible disease and who are enduring the often 'not so pleasant' treatment protocols that are often used to treat cancer's various conditions. Her desire and message to those still in this battle is to remain positive and to never give up. Karen was also well known throughout the Big Country's music community as an entertainer, vocalist and keyboardist for bands such as The Screaming Moon Dogs, Desert Ethic, Brazos, Moe and Keli, and Static Pulse. Karen was loved by all she came into to contact with. She was a truly a spiritual person who loved God and His Son Jesus and she did her part to promote this love to all who knew her. Heaven has become brighter by her presence and she is now the true angel that she has emulated while being here among us. We will indeed miss her love and light here on this earth. Memorial Services for Karen will be held on Saturday, May 12th starting at 1:00 pm at the Trinity Baptist Church in Sweetwater, Texas. Trinity Baptist Church is located at 1503 Creasent at the corner of Sante Fe and Hailey. ********** Published: May 10, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 04