Karen Theresa Perkins of Alexandria, Louisiana, passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 72 in Coral Springs, Florida. A memorial service will be planned for the Spring of 2026, with burial in Frazier Cemetery, Grant Parish, Louisiana.

She was born on January 3, 1953, to Willard Columbus and Doris Elaine Taylor Perkins at Baptist Hospital in Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her parents. Those left to cherish her memory are her sister Kala Lane Baillio and husband Stephen; four nieces and nephews—Stephanie Evans (Nick), Duane Baillio (Amy), Joanne Sullivan (Charlie), and Brentn Baillio (Ashley); and seven great nephews, three great nieces, two great-great nieces and one great-great nephew; many cousins and a host of friends.

Karen graduated from Northwestern State University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Over the years she completed her master’s degree and 30 additional hours of continuing education. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Eta Conclave of Kappa Kappa Iota Sorority for educators. 

Karen taught kindergarten at Peabody Elementary School for 6 years and Ball Elementary School for 24 years. She was Rapides Parish teacher of the year for the 1988-89 school year. Her dedication and creativity as a public-school teacher allowed her to influence many young lives during 30 years. She, along with her fellow kindergarten teachers, Lynda Lawrence and Peggy Tordoff, led workshops for teachers about using classroom mascots, magnetic teaching aids and finger puppets. Karen’s beloved classroom mascot, Clifford the Big Red Dog, inspired generations of young learners. One thing that made her special to her colleagues, family and friends was her determination to overcome the visual impairment that she had from birth and her passion for teaching children, both in school and in church.

 Karen attended Homewood Baptist Church all of her life. She became a member of the church as a child when she received Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord and served in many areas of church life. She found great joy in teaching four- and five-year old  in Sunday School. She faithfully supported the ministries of her church—planning fellowships, decorating for special events, and planning meals for grieving families. She participated in mission efforts of the Woman’s Missionary Union promoting the annual offerings for world, national, and state missions. She also coordinated Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection and helped lead food drives for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Beyond the church walls, Karen extended the love of Christ through her volunteer work with the Cenla Pregnancy Center. Her life reflected a servant’s heart, grounded in Scripture and devoted to sharing the hope she found in Jesus.