Karen Darnell has lived in Houston since she was six years old and she is proud to call herself a Houstonian. She attended Bellaire High School and then started her college education at Texas Tech, ultimately graduating from the University of Houston. Although now a widow, Karen shares, “I was married for 30 years to Charles Darnell, a wonderful man.” Charles was born in Mississippi and attended college on a football scholarship. He coached high school football and baseball but worked most of his adult life at Brown and Root, Karen and her husband have one child, Derek; Derek is now 46 years old and as Karen tells us,” he was a remarkable child to raise. He excelled in academics and sports”. Through all the years she and her son have maintained a close relation- ship with many fond memories. Karen tells us, “Derek is married to a beautiful woman, Sveta Darnell and they have two beautiful daughters, Evie and Sofia, who are the loves of my life.” Karen Darnell has lived in Houston since she was six years old and she is proud to call herself a Houstonian. She attended Bellaire High School and then started her college education at Texas Tech, ultimately graduating from the University of Houston. Although now a widow, Karen shares, “I was marries for 30 years to Charles Darnell, a wonderful man.” Charles was born in Mississippi and attended college on a football scholarship. Ile coached high school football and baseball but worked most of his adult life at Brown and Root, Karen and her husband have one child, Derek; Derek is now 46 years old and as Karen tells us,” he was ä remarkable child to raise. He excelled in academics and sports”. Through all the years she and her son have maintained a close relation- ship with many fond memories. Karen tells us, “Derek is married to a beautiful woman, Sveta Darnell and they have two beautiful daughters, Evie and Sofia, who are the loves of my life.”
After Karen completed her college education, graduating with a degree in Political Science, she was hired to be in the Executive Training program at Foleys to be a buyer or store manager. Although this was not what she had studied for, Karen had found her passion she loved retail. She shares, “I thrived in the retail world and loved working for Foleys. In 1981 1 started my own little business with only $500. What was I thinking?”
She named her small boutique “Karen’s Kloset” simply because she had started it in her house out of a closet! Karen says, “After two years I opened my first store front and for 35 years I worked very hard. My last location was at the corner of Woodway and Voss next to Carrabba’s.” During that time her beloved husband died suddenly, and she tells us, “It was my little business that helped me recover from the loss. I had no choice. I had to get up and go to work.” After being at that location for 22 years, the landlord decided he would not renew the lease in the current space. Her landlord’s decision left Karen a tough choice, either retire or find a new location. She remembers, “l had my business for 35 years and I was getting older.
So, with the advice of my son and brother I made the tough decision to retire.” But what would she do with herself? She really wasn’t ready to retire!
Then one day while having a conversation with a friend, Karen tells us, “She told me about the Houston Junior Forum, a nonprofit women’s organization that provides charitable service for children, youth, women, and seniors in the greater Houston area. The group sounded wonderful to me, so I joined and have never looked back. The Forum owns a resale shop in the Heights at 1815 Rutland and of course I gravitated to it. I love the shop and this wonderful organization. I have met many wonderful new ladies, made dear friends and gotten to do what I love…working in the Houston Junior Forum Resale Shop. Again, retail saved me from a loss.
Now I am responsible for the success or failure of the shop and work there six days a week and just love it!”
She shares, “The shop is so rewarding to me and other members because the profits from our sales are used to provide funds to college scholarships and to the service sites at which the Houston Junior Forum members volunteer. Equally important, however, the shop is a beacon of light in the Heights and we help many of our neighbors by bringing joy to their lives. They are really doing God’s work.”
Karen reminisces, “My mother gave me a great fashion sense and my father gave me my religious background and a strong desire to have a practicing faith.” Karen has a strong faith and truly enjoys her Bible Study classes at Second Baptist Church. In addition, her hobbies include playing bridge and watching sports.
She enjoys all sports and always supports and applauds every one of the Houston teams.
Karen discloses, “Another important event in my life is when I moved from my house to The Briarglen, a condominium complex near the River Oaks District. I have lived here for 12 years and I just love high rise living. When I first moved in, I told my friends that I felt like a princess. I look out my big living room window and see beautiful sunsets or pouring rain with lightning or fireworks on Thanksgiving night from Post Oak Street. My son is responsible for this move and it was the best thing I could have done. Best of all my son was the developer! I started entertaining and sharing my new home with family and friends; it gave me a new outlook on life. My neighborhood is so beautiful with gorgeous trees and it is walking distance to the River Oaks District with boutiques, restaurants, movie theater and live entertainment.” Karen’s life is surely filled with joy, from her family, to the Houston Junior Forum and the Houston Junior Forum Resale Shop, to her church, and to her wonderful friends and gorgeous neighborhood.
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