Karen Ann Whaley

Karen Ann (Collins) Whaley, 78, went to be with the Lord on February 19, 2026. Born on January 14, 1948, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Helen (Kuhlman) and Floyd Collins. Karen grew up in Minco, Oklahoma and graduated from Minco High School before obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. It was there Karen met the love of her life, Wayne. They got engaged just 19 days after their first date and were married May 27, 1969.

She was a devoted Christian, and taught thousands of small children Bible over the course of the 50 or so years she taught Sunday School. In her later years her favorite ministry was sending cards, and she took great joy in finding the funniest cards to send.

Karen cherished spending time with her grandkids and family most of all. She enjoyed playing cards and board games with the family. She also enjoyed reading, especially the Bible, and watching figure skating. She was also a huge fan of Johnny Mathis and saw him 23 times in concert.

Karen is survived by her husband, Wayne; two daughters, Sabrina Huber and husband Jim; and Morian Grady and husband Bryan; granddaughters Merrigan and Sienna and grandson Callan. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, and her brother, Jerry Collins.

Services will be held at Memorial Road Church of Christ on February 28, at 10:00 a.m. Funeral to follow on Monday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Gracelawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Free To Live, an organization Karen loved supporting.

To view the livestreaming of the service, please follow this link: https://youtube.com/live/ohNp5wfs62o?feature=share