BORN

1966

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Rose Hills Mortuary - Whittier

3888 Workman Mill Rd

Whittier, California

Karen Charles-Cuevas Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 16, 2013.

Karen Rochelle Charles Cuevas was born to Hazel and Curley Charles on April 12, 1966 in Los Angeles, California. Hazel and Curley Charles preceded her in death. After her mother passed away, she and her siblings moved to Lake Charles, LA to live with her Maternal Grandmother, Eva Grant in 1976. She accepted the Lord as her personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She graduated in 1984 from Washington-Marion High School in Lake Charles, LA. In 1991 she returned to California and attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College where she majored in Child Development. She was a valued member of the track team and excelled as a Shot Putter, Discus and Javelin Thrower.

During her studies at LA Trade Technical College, she met the love of her life, Julian Cuevas. Karen and Julian were joined in Holy Matrimony on February 5, 1994. Shortly after Julian and Karen were married, Julian enlisted the US Army and was stationed in Korea. She joined him there. It was an experience she never forgot. After returning to the US, she concentrated on her love for children and opened a daycare for military families on the Army Base in Barstow, CA. Later she and her family moved to Las Vegas, NV. During such time, she exemplified her true passion for teaching and learning.

At age 35, she decided to return to school to fulfill her dream of becoming a certified teacher. She studied at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education and her Master's Degree in Special Education. Upon completion of her certification, she was employed as a Special Education Teacher at James B. McMillan Elementary School, in the Clark County School District. She volunteered each year with the Special Olympics. She had an exceptional gift to motivate children to do their best. She was a compassionate teacher who demonstrated her love for students daily and worked closely with their families to ensure student success. She had penchant for 'mainstreaming' Special Needs Students. She loved to travel and didn't mind driving all across the country to visit family and friends.

The angels carried her home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Frankfort, Germany. Karen leaves to mourn her husband Julian Cuevas, her two sons, Michael Charles of Madera, CA and Marcus Stewart of Las Vegas, NV, 3 grandchildren, Malakai Stewart, Michael Charles, Jr. and Maia Charles, Mother in-law Maria Orellana and Father-in-law Juan Orellana of Arcadia, CA, 9 siblings, Brian Pete of Vacaville, CA, Felix Thomas and Sister-in-law Ann Thomas of Westlake, Louisiana, Danette Thomas of Temple, TX, Curley Lamond Charles, of Las Vegas, NV, Raynetta Charles, of Los Angeles, CA, Joseph Laneal Charles of Los Angeles, CA , Marcus Charles of Los Angeles, CA , Keith Moore of Los Angeles, CA , Tracy Charles of Los Angeles, CA, Sister-in-law Nancy Cuevas Sasaki, Odelisa Orellana and Brother-in-law Kevin Sasaki, Antonio Orellana and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, God children, cousins and friends.

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Memories and Condolences
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Not sure what to say?

July 9, 2014

Sue

Karen's presence is everlasting in my mind...she was a strong, wise, kind and fair teacher who empowered her students and co-workers with her objectivity. I learned from her example. Thank you, Karen...

June 23, 2013

Today I look for u again to find out why I had not heard from u guys since hadi send u a message that Neal had pass a way I-10-13 an to my amaze my heart was broken to find u had pass the sorry this has given to my heart I saw this little girl playing an laughing rest in peace Karen forever. Love Sadie Parker

June 21, 2013

It's been quite a while since I saw or spoke with Karen. I remember my cousin while growing up in Lake Charles, LA. She was very smart,giving and family oriented. May God grant peace and blessings to the Charles and Cuevas families during this difficult period.

Duane Jubert
Pearland, TX

June 21, 2013

Diane Fields

June 21, 2013

Lynn Ward

My prayers go out to Karen and her family. She will be missed by her coworkers and students at McMillan. She was a great person!

June 21, 2013

verna Gray

To the family, words will never express how we feel when we're mourning. Through, sorrow just know we are family and we are here
. I thank the Lord, for allowing our paths to cross. thank you Karen, for sharing your time and compassion with us. Thanks to her husband, for being that Great love in her life and showing her that she was very special.

June 20, 2013

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June 20, 2013

Diane fields

My Dearest Cousin (KAREN CHARLES)My FIRST COUSIN TO LEAVE ME THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO...????I'M Going To Miss U SOOO VERYYY MUCHHH...U LEFT ME HERE TO DEFEND,I'M Going To Be STRONG For You,I REMEMBER EVERYTHING WE TALKED ABOUT AND EVERYTHING U TOLD ME AND IM GOING TO DO JUST THAT...I LOVE U COUSIN,IM GOING TO MISS TALKING TO YOU WHILE UR ON UR WAY TO WORK,IM GOING TO MISS UR CHICKEN STEW,I'M Going To Miss EVERYTHING ECT...AND WE DID ALOT TOGETHER ???? WE BEEN ALOT PLACES, WHEN U CAME AND GOT ME AND BROUGHT ME TO VEGAS,I BEEN HERE EVERY SINCE,BUT I DON'T THINK I CAN. DO IT NOW THAT YOU'RE Gone..HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY COUSIN R.I.P AND I WILL SEE YOU SOON (BELIEVE That)..MISS U ....GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN ????????????LATER??My Angel..

June 20, 2013

Stacey Villigan

So very sorry for your loss. Karen will be missed by her students and everyone who knew her. May she rest in peace.

June 18, 2013

shelley

June 18, 2013

Maia Charles

Gammy, We shared so many memories in the short time we had together. You gave me all the love the world had to offer and I hope I showed you how much I loved you. You will live in my heart and memory forever. You are the strong, smart, happy, beautiful woman I hope to one day be like. I love you and I will always miss you. -Maia

June 18, 2013

Deann Mitchell

My dear cousin Karen, I will truly miss your laughter. The way you made us all laugh so hard that our sides would hurt. I will miss you screamming with me at Andre's football games and crying with me when he won his first college championship game. I didn't expect that to be the last one we would see together. We had plans to go to Louisiana this year and watch him run one back against McNeese, but the Lord wanted something different for you. I can't ask why or what his plan is, all I can say is, "His will be done". I will always love my dear Cousin Karen.

June 17, 2013

Deon Mitchell

When your heart is empty, filling it with happy memories can help. When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Julian, you're in my thoughts, my heart, and my prayers.
Love and miss you Cuzzin,
Deon

June 17, 2013

Love to you always. I miss you so much already. Your laugh and your smile were priceless. I know the Angels are truly singing a joyous song since your arrival. I will see you again. Love You Cuzzzz
Nathan

June 17, 2013

Julian

Posted by Julian

June 17, 2013

JULIAN

KAREN, LOVE YOU

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Rose Hills Mortuary - Whittier

3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601

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