Karan Ann Lee was born to Leland and Lucille Rodgers. She was the eldest of three siblings: Lee, Jerry and Donna. She is survived by her siblings and her only daughter, Robin Babin.
Karan was born with a servant’s heart- full of compassion, empathy and grace. To Karan, a servant’s heart meant to not only put other’s needs ahead of her own, but to serve with the right motivation—and that was to put God’s will first. Rewards, recognition or even gratitude were not ever her aim.
Her heart for service led her naturally to her profession as teacher, a life-long educator of all she met. She found some of her greatest joy in the classroom with her students, in her Sunday school class and anywhere she could help others learn to be their best selves. When Parkinson’s began to take that from her, she still did her best to share her deep knowledge and experiences with the seniors at the Norman L. Malone Senior Center and also her friends and neighbors at Autumn Leaves, Memory Care Memorial City.
She was a beloved member of her church family, First Baptist Church, La Porte, where she was a member for 44 years. Karan was a vessel for the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom she loved deeply, giving testimony to his grace and love through her actions and compassion. When asked, she would always say her favorite part of church were her “kids” in Sunday school and the music…oh how she loved music.
Karan longed for travel, a love she must have inherited from her beloved mother Lucille. Whether a road trip or a plane trip, Karan was up for it. She along with daughter Robin, her mom Lucille, and sister Donna went on so many adventures across Texas and Mexico. In 2009, she even went as far as Bangalore,India to visit Robin at Christmas. (If you know Karan, you know she brought a suitcase full of decorations!!)
She threw the best parties! Entertaining baking and cooking came naturally. Ask her to make one dish, she would make three - just in case! Celebrating your birthday?- you had your choice of any delectable sweet or sweets! Whether planning or competing in the LPJH chili cook-off, Robin’s many amazing birthday parties (even her 30th, which Karan catered), family holiday meals- Karan was a pro!! She even won a medal in 2019 at the Malone Senior Center for her baking. The theme, the tablescape, the food, no detail forgotten- big or small it was always done with love and all that received knew they were LOVED.
It would seem that Karan’s talents did not run dry. She could make ANYTHING! Curtains, pillows, blankets, clothes, she did it. She even made Robin’s prom dress from a sketch- searching for the right fabric and making it just perfect. She was Costume Mistress for the Jr. Art Park Players and the Action Reaction Company (ARC) until 1992; many a summer show and Christmas show, Karan made sure the kids looked their best. She even chaperoned this incorrigible and lovable bunch of kids on trips to New York City and Natchez, Mississippi. She wasn’t always behind the scenes. In 1990, Karan performed in the musical Gypsy, reprising the role of Dressy Tessie Tura. (She was amazing!!!)
Karan dedicated herself to her God, church, students, friends, community and most of all to her family, who she loved unconditionally. She is deeply missed and deeply loved, today and always.
Note: The To Kill a Mockingbird quote above was lovingly chosen, as it was Karan's favorite novel.
