Karen Ebner (Gentry)
1950-2013

Karen Ebner Gentry was received into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on January 30, 2013. Karen lost her long battle to breast cancer and is now at rest. She was born October 8, 1950 in Newcastle, Wyoming, to parents Theran and Daisy Ebner. Karen grew up in the Spring Branch area of Houston and graduated from Spring Woods High School in 1968. She attended North Texas State University.

Karen married her loving husband, Frank L. Gentry Jr. on January 23, 1982. She worked for over 30 years in the computer industry as a programmer and information technology specialist.

She grew up at Spring Branch Baptist Church and joined Houston's First Baptist Church in the late 1970's. She volunteered her time for over ten years at the HFBC Faith Center teaching English as a Second Language. During her time there she not only taught English but also shared her positive spirit and Love of the Lord.

Everyone who crossed Karen's path was touched by her love of and connection to God. She especially enjoyed spending time with her seven grandchildren, taking them on trips, attending their school programs and sporting events. She taught them to give freely, love deeply and that Jesus was the answer for all.

Karen is preceded in death by her father Theran L. Ebner. She is survived by her husband, Frank Gentry, Jr., her daughter Natalie Duncan, husband Guy Duncan, her daughter Mamie Fullmer, husband Jason Fullmer and her seven grandchildren, Coy, Adam, Fin and Jay Fullmer and Luke, Hoyt and Blair Duncan. Karen is also survived by her mother Daisy Bullington Ebner, brother Philip Ebner, sister Patty Ebner and partner Sue Atkinson, parents-in-law, Frank L. and Gloria Gentry as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are comforted to know that Karen is now with the Lord she served so faithfully for all her life.

Visitation with the family will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Monday February 4, 2013 from 6:00-8:00pm. A Memorial service will follow on Tuesday February 5, 2013 at Houston's First Baptist Church, 10:00am followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen's name to Houston's First Baptist Church and designate the Faith Center ESL Program or Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center.

Published in Houston Chronicle on February 3, 2013