Karen Stephens

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Karen Lynn Stephens, 50, of Advance passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at her home.

She was born March 23, 1962, in Chaffee, Mo., daughter of Edsel and Marie Talley Cooper. She and Clint Stephens were married July 16, 1983, at Bell City, Mo.

Karen owned and operated Annie-Em's in downtown Cape Girardeau. She had been a teacher and then principal 18 years with Bell City School District. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a specialist degree in education. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, Mo.

Survivors include her husband, Clint; her parents, Edsel and Marie Cooper of Advance; two daughters, Emilie and Annie Stephens of Advance; two brothers, Alan and Michael Cooper of Bloomfield.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Bell City.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to The Stoddard County Children's Home or Humane Society of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau.