Karen McIlwain, 59, of Tatum, Texas, passed away on Saturday morning, March 2, 2024, at her home near Tatum. Karen Sue Courtney was born on August 9, 1964, in Carthage, Texas to the late Claude Mitchel "C.M." and Alice Pauline Singleton Courtney. She graduated from Tatum High School with the class of 1982, and attended Kilgore College where she earned an Associates Degree. Karen married William Kevin "Bill" McIlwain on June 6, 1985, and he preceded her in death on August 22, 2009. She worked over 34 years in the banking industry, retiring from Vera Bank in Tatum where she was the Branch Manager. Karen was very involved in the community having served on the Tatum I.S.D. Board of Trustees for 22 years. She was a member of the Tatum Lions Club, the Tatum Athletic Booster Club, the Tatum Ex Students Association and the Tatum Education Foundation. Karen loved to travel with her family and friends and most especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She lived her lifetime in the Tatum area and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tatum. Karen was also preceded in death by brothers, Billy and Mike Courtney and in-laws, H.G. and Jeannie McIlwain.

She is survived by her children, Kristen McIlwain Ladner and husband Stephen, Erika McIlwain Smith and husband Gregory, Mitchel Kevin McIlwain, and William Devin McIlwain and wife Elinor; grandchildren, Emersyn, Major, Lincoln, Slater, and William; siblings, Joe T. Winn and wife Loretta, Jimmy D. Courtney and wife Anita, and Sharon K. Abel and husband Kelly; and sisters-in-law, Sally Courtney and Tina Hampton Courtney. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Tatum High School Auditorium with Bro. Jackie Harris officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Tatum Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the Auditorium prior to the funeral service.

Karen's family extends a heart-felt thanks to special friends, Dana, Ann, Debbie, Allie, Arlene, Anita, Tina, Tege, Kip, and Pat.

Pallbearers are Brandon Courtney, Luke Courtney, J.P. Richardson, Hank Buddecke, Randy McIlwain, Curt Smith, and Tate Smith.

Memorials may be made to the McIlwain Family Scholarship, c/o the Tatum Ex Students Association, Post Office Box 975, Tatum, Texas 75691.

A guestbook may be signed at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.