Karen J. Williams

Karen Janeen (Burkott) Williams was born November 24, 1980, at Cape Canaveral Hospital, Cocoa Beach, FL. Weighing in at a hefty 8#10oz., her parents Joseph and Carol Burkott of Rockledge, FL were very excited to have her join the family with 4 other siblings, Brent, Brenda, Scott and Alyson. Yes, that made her the “baby,” and she liked to capitalize that fact after she became an adult. Not so much during her youth.

She graduated from Rockledge High School on May 24, 2000, and earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Eastern Florida State College on May 12, 2016. She loved sports and participated in softball leagues, bowling and church basketball. At one time the church gymnasium was carpeted, and she took a serious fall, tripping on the carpet and damaging her knee, which resulted in several knee surgeries. Needless to say, carpeted gyms were a problem in many church buildings, and they’ve since replaced them with hardwood floors.

When she was 5, she was allowed to go down the block and around the corner to a friend’s house to play for a playdate. When called to be sent home, her family waited, and waited, and waited, thinking she didn’t get the message. When checking with the mom, she said, “oh, she left right away.” That sent them into panic mode, and they started looking up and down all the connecting streets and yards, worried about ditches that were close by. They checked with friends in other neighborhoods to see if she took a detour, but they couldn’t find her. They called RPD and about 10 police cars pulled up. Carol gave them her softball picture and they made a flyer out of it, then started their search going door to door inquiring and handing out the flyers. Hours had now passed and many prayers for her return were being said. As it turned out she decided to come home a different way and saw a friend playing in her garage in a cul-de-sac. Being the independent girl that she was, she had decided to play at that friend’s house where they found her. Upon seeing the flyer, the mom said, “oh, yeah, she’s in the garage with my daughter.”

The police brought her back home to her family, and she was so scared and bawling those big blue eyes out. Of course, everyone was so relieved to have her back safe and sound she could hardly be punished. Prayers were answered that day.

On her 16th birthday Carol asked her what she wanted, and she said, “A Car.” So, several of her friends were invited to come to her party and secretly were told to each bring a small car, like Hot Wheels. It was a fun way to get her what she wanted…but not really fulfill that wish. She got 16 Hot Wheels.

When she graduated from college, Carol asked her what she wanted for graduation…and she said, “A Car, but NOT Hot Wheels.” So Carol said, “well, what kind do you want?” and she said, "A Ferrari.” Another tall order, so Carol thought and thought, knowing that wasn’t going to happen. She searched for a 4-wheeler…too much money, finally looked for a bike and decided she could use that and be happy. To make it more fun, Carol made a license plate out of Pink Fur with black letters on it…an R and an E…get it?

FUR…R…E. She was happy to get the bike and even liked the license plate.

On September 23, 2012, she married Jerron Williams at Paradise Beach, FL. It was a beautiful day, and she was the happiest girl in the world. They have been married 12 years.

She worked for Taco Bell for 10 years off and on, but then got the opportunity to work at the Kennedy Space Center and has been there for the last 12 years for Delaware North Food Services. People loved her whether she was serving tacos or interacting with the people visiting the Space Center. Everyone liked her.

One hobby she excelled at was growing pineapples. She must have had 20+ plants, all of them bearing fruit, and she shared them with her family and a few thieves. She definitely had a green thumb. On her porch you can see she was growing basil, thyme, peppers and oregano and she used them in her recipes at home when she cooked for Jerron. Her cooking skills were gained as she was in the food services department at the Space Center.

She battled a monster for the last year, bravely suffering through chemo and the effects of that poison which was meant to kill the monster…but sadly the monster won. Many friends brought in meals, blankets, pictures of Jesus, snacks, magazines, crossword puzzles and encouraging words. Some even came and worked in her pineapple garden while she was engaged in battle. She has now crossed the veil and into the arms of our Savior, and her daddy, and grandparents, as well as many generations of family who welcomed her home. She has been sealed to her family for this time on earth and for all Eternity. We are not saying Goodbye, rather, SEE YOU LATER.