Submitted by: Dan Rich

Karen Elizabeth Hubbard

Jan. 19, 1942 - March 8, 2002

South Bend Tribune 3/13/2002

Karen Elizabeth Hubbard, 60, a loving mother, grandmother and sister who resided on Prairie Street in Chicago, Ill., formerly of South Bend, Ind., departed this life on Friday, March 8, after a brief illness. Karen was born Jan. 19, 1942, in South Bend, to Walter Hubbard Sr. and Geraldine White, who both preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Justice Smith Sr.; a brother, Walter Hubbard Jr.; and by a grandmother, Elizabeth White.

She graduated from Central High School in 1959. Moving to Chicago in 1960, Karen retired from the University of Chicago Hospital after 25 years of service in 1997. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a former member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, South Bend, where she directed the young adult choir.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are one son, Brian Hubbard, and a daughter-in-law LaTasha; two grandsons, Brandon Joshua and Joshua Brice, all of Chicago; three sisters, Diatra (Martin) Stearn of Pacoima, Calif., Lisa Holley and Cheryl (Gregory) Wilder of South Bend; two step-sisters, Etta Johnson of Palos Hills, Ill., and Edna Gray of South Bend; one sister-in-law, Jeanetta Hubbard of South Bend; two brothers, DeVon Smith and Garland (Carla) Smith, both of South Bend; one stepbrother, Justice Smith Jr. of Lafayette, Ind.; and a host of relatives and many devoted friends who will miss her dearly. Since retiring, her passions were her grandchildren, her friends and casinos.

Services for Karen Elizabeth Hubbard will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 15, in the Greater St. John M.B. Church, 101 N. Adam Street, South Bend, with Rev. Cary Batteast officiating. Visitation from noon until the funeral services at 1 p.m. Burial will follow funeral services at Highland Cemetery.

The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral services.