Margaret Karen Barbee, age 74, passed away on January 30, 2025, in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born on October 29, 1950, in Texarkana, Texas, to the late Joe and Thelma Jo (Coleman) Allen.

Karen, as she was known, graduated from Lewisville High School in 1968 and married her late husband, Johnnie L. Barbee, Jr. in 1970. She held various positions before finding a home at Tyson Foods, first as a Credit Analyst and then in Accounts Payable, until her retirement. Karen loved working in the yard, especially mowing the grass on her riding lawnmower, Sonic cup of ice by her side. She enjoyed listening to music and had eclectic tastes, ranging from Pavarotti to the Moody Blues to Van Morrison.  She enjoyed doing crosswords and puzzles and always managed to figure out 'who done it' before the end of murder mystery films. Karen was never more at home than in her beloved Arkansas and loved watching, and calling, those Hogs every football and basketball season.

She is survived by her daughter, Leah O'Donovan, and her husband, Tim, of Epsom, Surrey, UK; one brother, Mike Allen, of Duncan, Oklahoma; and two grandchildren, Molly and Abby O'Donovan.

Memorial service will be at Temple Baptist Church in Springdale at 10:30am on Friday, February 7th. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home.