Karen Carlew Burris, 68, of Pocahontas, departed this life on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Karen was born in Key West, Florida to the late William Dale Carlew Sr. and Janette Chandler Davis on October 22, 1957. She earned two master’s degrees and was a school counselor.

Karen was an avid sports fan her whole life. She loved basketball, tennis, golf, and football. As a basketball player at Arkansas State University, she was one of the first female scholarship recipients. After graduating from ASU, Karen was a coach at St. Paul’s Catholic School, where she took the track team to a state championship without them having their own track to practice on. After coaching, she was a counselor at various schools around the Maynard, Oak Ridge, and Pocahontas area. She touched so many lives and helped so many children during her 40 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Jon Brian Burris; children, Michael (Julie) Prince, Rebekah (Taylor) Prince-DeCastro, and Zachary Burris; grandchildren, Connor Durham and Ashton McAdams; brother, William D. Carlew Jr., and sister, DeAnn (Otis) Stahl. She also leaves behind many other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 1, 2025, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel, with the funeral service to begin at 1:00 pm.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Karen to  The Foundation Scholarship of Pocahontas School District or St. Jude Research Hospital.