Karen Danielle Karebear Stoute

Karebear was taken from her family in the tragic school bus accident in Port Barre, Louisiana that occurred on Friday, December 3, 2010.

She earned the nickname by being a tender child who loved everyone, yet was a real trooper. For most of her life, she made her home with her mother and step-father in Lake Charles, LA.

When it came time to start kindergarten, she moved to her father's house in Port Barre, LA and attended Port Barre Elementary, where she was a straight A student, and was a cheerleader. Karen was loved by all her fellow students. Karen touched the lives of everyone she met, and she captured the hearts of young and old alike. With her curly blond hair, and full pouty lips, she stole people's hearts everywhere she went. Karen will be sorely missed.

Survivors include her mother, Katie Abshire Niles and stepfather, Chris Niles of Lake Charles; two sisters, Sarina Abshire and Brianna Niles, both of Lake Charles; one brother, Conner Niles of Lake Charles; father, Mark Stout and fiance'e, Angie Willis of Port Barre; paternal grandfather, Buddy Stoute and wife Mercy of Port Barre; paternal great-grandmother, Hazel Woodson of Port Barre; maternal grandparents, Leah Burwell Landry and Randy Abshire, both of Lake Charles; maternal great-grandparents, Shirley Verret Burwell and Demcy Levi Burwell, both of Lake Charles, Rose Gary Abshire and David Abshire of Lake Charles; uncle and Godfather, Johnny Stoute and wife Jennifer of Church Point; aunts, Erin Madeiros and husband Michael of Okinawa, Japan, Stephanie Witherwax and Samuel Witherwax of Lake Charles; and uncles, Robert Leger of Lake Charles and Devin Abshire of Lake Charles.

Her memorial service will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Keith Pellerin will officiate. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.