Karen Sue Shannon

KAREN SUE “KIWI” SHANNON

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The beauty in all of this is simply that “SHE LIVED”.  Today we celebrate the life, the love and the legacy of Karen Sue Shannon, affectionately called “Kiwi” by her family and close friends. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, cousin and loyal friend.

On Monday, May 1, 2023, Karen Sue Shannon, transitioned from this life suddenly at Corewell Spectrum Health-Lakeland in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Karen Sue Shannon was born on Sunday, February 27, 1966, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to the late Eli Shannon and Elsie (nee) Pegues.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents, Paul Pegues Sr. and Jesse (nee) Brailey, and her paternal grandparents, Robert Shannon and Frances Elizabeth (nee) Johnson.  

At an early age, Karen dedicated her life to Christ as evidenced by her being baptized and uniting in fellowship with the Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

She was formally educated in the Benton Harbor Area Schools and was a proud graduate of the Benton Harbor High School Class of 1984. 

Karen loved people and all her jobs involved working with the public.  She was employed by the Benton Harbor Area Schools first as a Parent Advocate in their Child Health Initiative Project, which was led by parents and grandparents in the District in collaboration with the Berrien County Health Department and Inter-Care Health Clinic. 

She then worked in the Transportation Department of Benton Harbor Area Schools and was an excellent school bus driver.  No matter the weather or road conditions, Karen always made sure her students were safe and secure.  In her later years, Karen worked in hospitality management at hotels throughout Michiana where she was a favorite of returning guests and those with special events. 

Karen was vivacious, she was charming, and she was real.   She had a love of eating good food, reading, fishing and family.  Those who loved her also knew of her fondness for frogs and knew that she had a strong work ethic whether she was working outside the house, in the community, or supporting family and she did it tirelessly. 

Karen loved her children and her precious granddaughter with all her heart.  The love and respect that she had for her sister, her nieces and nephew was beyond measure. Rest peacefully, Karen, we will always and forever love you.

Karen will forever be remembered in the hearts of her children, her son, Paul Shannon and his wife Karissa, her daughter, Pearlie Rochelle Jackson, her beloved granddaughter, Syn’Cerity Higgs; her sister, Marian Tripplett and her husband, Reinaldo, two nieces, Alexandra Foster and her husband Steven, and Kiara Moore; her one and only nephew, Eli Shannon, great-nephew, Steven Foster II (SJ); her life-long neighbors and friends, the Robinsons and Ruckers, and a host of cousins, extended-family and friends. 

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