Karen Hovas

Karen Sue Gillispie Hovas

Born June 26, 1960 - Died August 24, 2025

Born in Dallas,Tx to Buddy and Margaret Knox Gillispie.

Karen graduated from Mesquite Christian academy in 1979. She moved with her family to Kentucky where her dad accepted a job at Campbellsville Baptist temple. She then moved to Washington D.C. to attend Gallaudet University for deaf and hearing impaired. After losing sight in the left eye after one year at Gallaudet, she transferred to The Helen Keller National Center for deaf/blind on Long Island, New York. After graduating, she was employed by the Center. While working with blind/deaf adults teaching them daily living skills, she met her future husband, Gerald Hovas. While Gerald was attending Mississippi State University towards his Master's, Karen went on to Maryland School for the blind in Baltimore, MD. She continued her work as a one-on-one teacher for a year. Karen then moved to Richmond, VA where she became engaged to Gerald, after 5 years of long-distance love. Gerald was employed by Texas Instruments in Dallas,TX where they were married July 10, 1993 at Jupiter Road Baptist Church by her father. The pastor at the church started the ceremony, so Buddy could walk his baby girl down the aisle and give her away. This was such an honor for Karen, as her father had baptized her, and presented her with her high school diploma. Karen and Gerald spent the last 30 years living in Richardson, where she loved being a stay at home wife. Karen's last act of helping others, was as a volunteer for Medical City Dallas for 17 years, until her health prevented her from doing so. She especially enjoyed working in Child life. While volunteering, she met Chaplain Brian Quinn, who became a close friend for the rest of her life and officiated her funeral service. At the end of her volunteering career, Karen was awarded the Volunteer Emeritus Award. She was so proud her parents were in town to accompany her at this special event.

Karen was preceded in death by her father Buddy Gillispie.

Karen is survived by husband, Gerald Hovas, mother, Margaret Gillispie, brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Linda Gillispie, brother and sister-in-law, David and Debbie Gillispie, sister-in-law, Laura Hovas and many nieces and nephews.