Karen Elaine Howard

Karen “Kem” Howard entered God’s eternal rest March 15, 2023, after a long courageous battle in Houston, Texas. She was born June 28th, 1960, in Huntington, New York to Arthur Moultrie and Ellen Malbreaux. After moving from Compton California, they settled in Houston Texas in 1971. There, Kem attended Bastian Elementary and Albert Thomas jr. High, before graduating from Ross Shaw Sterling Highschool in 1978. Karen obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Prairieview A&M University in August of 1983. While attending both Ross Sterling and Prairieview A&M she was an active member of the band as a clarinet player. Through her union with Cletus Ogbonna, she had 2 children: Katrina in April of 1985 and Eric in November of 1987. Shortly afterwards, she followed in the footsteps of her mother by entering her lifelong mission as an educator with Houston Independent School District in 1988 where she remained until retirement in 2007. During her career, she taught various grades and subjects; sponsoring activities such as the booster club and student council. She was a member of The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated, a professional organization for educators. Karen was introduced to Christ early on in life and enjoyed serving on the usher board. She was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church in Houston. Prior to passing, she served as Vice President of the Residents Council at Park Manor of Westchase where she resided amongst those that she called friends. To know her was to love her and that she enjoyed celebrating with others; having never met a stranger...

Karen was proceeded in death by her father Arthur Moultrie and mother Ellen Malbreaux Moultrie. She is survived by her daughter Katrina (James), son Eric, granddaughters Jelane and Laila, brother Kenneth (Ingrid), best friends Cassandra (Seta) and Debra, as well as a host of Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and extended family.