Karen Gene (Agee) Cremeans
(November 19, 1944 - December 21, 2016)

On this date, December 21, 2016, Karen Gene Agee Cremeans walked into her eternal home to be with the Lord forever. She was our beloved Mother, a devoted and loving wife, a cherished and caring sister, a dearly loved, angelic grandmother whose presence made every day brighter, an admired aunt and cousin, and cherished, warm-hearted friend to many. She was a faithful woman of God, follower of Jesus, whose devotion and passion for others, especially children of all ages, helped to deepen their faith in their walk with the Lord.  Karen was born November 19, 1944 in Huntington, W.Va, a daughter to Philip Edward and Geneva Louise Agee. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her eternally beloved husband of 49 years, Christopher Grant Cremeans. She is survived by her two daughters: Kimberly Anne Wilson-Mackey (John D.) (Lexington, KY); Kerry Lynn Cremeans, (Denver, CO); three grandchildren: Anna Grace Louise Wilson, Chase Christopher Cremeans, and Finley William Cremeans; two brothers: W. Vincent Agee (Joy); Philip E. Agee, Jr. (Jenni); step-mother: Thelma Agee; brother-in-law: Ronnie Cremeans (Naomi); sister-in-law: Phyllis Romine (Charles); and several very special and loved cousins, nieces and nephews.  Karen was raised primarily in Huntington, W.Va. where she was an active member of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church for over 30 years. With her father being a career Navy veteran, she lived on various naval and marine bases during some of her childhood (Camp LeJeune, NC; St. Petersburg FL; Memphis, TN; Norfolk, VA). She graduated from Huntington East High School. She then attended Marshall University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts (History) and Masters of Science degrees (Physical Education and Health). While at Marshall, Karen was a Marshall University cheerleader and a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. It was at Marshall where she first met her “beloved husband to be” at a Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church gathering for college students. She taught swimming and diving in Huntington as well as having taught sailing off the coast of Maine to children attending summer camps. She also worked with the Girl Scouts of America. She and Chris remained avid Marshall alumni, proudly wearing their green and white while cheering on the Thundering Herd.  Karen taught at Fairland High School in Proctorville, OH for three years prior to she and Chris moving to Wheelersburg, OH in 1971 to raise their children. They joined the Wheelersburg United Methodist Church where Karen so faithfully served the youth over many years. Together, Chris and Karen opened “The Sugar Plum Tree”, a fine children’s boutique with two locations: Wheelersburg, OH and Ceredo-Kenova, W.Va. While nurturing her children as a stay at home mother, Karen served as the Varsity Cheerleading coach at Wheelersburg High School where she enjoyed their run for a national title in Dallas, TX.  Karen’s church ministry career began at Wheelersburg United Methodist.  Church where she took many youth to church camp at Camp Francis Asbury in Rio Grande, OH, as well as over a decade of annual Ichthus Festivals in Wilmore, KY, not only with Wheelersburg United Methodist Church but also Hillsboro First United Methodist and Johnson Memorial United Methodist churches that she so faithfully served for many years. In 1994, Karen founded “Shining Light” after school ministry program for elementary children in Wheelersburg, OH. “Shining Light” continues this very day reaching children within the community. Her most recent passion was the fourth grade class which she last taught the past few years. She became the Director of Christian Education at Hillsboro First United Methodist Church (having studied at Theological Seminary School in Bethesda, OH and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY) and poured her heart into her ministry while in Hillsboro. She took the youth to Big Stuff in Panama City Beach, FL and to Gainesville, FL a different summer to build a house for Habitat for Humanity. She then moved to Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church (Huntington) where she served as Director of Christian Education serving youth and adults. She facilitated the Young at Hearts at both Wheelersburg (many exciting and memorable excursions) and Johnson Memorial; she thoroughly enjoyed each of the life-long friendships forever formed at the churches she served. She was also an educator, substitute teaching in Scioto county schools in Ohio, further exemplifying her love for children.  Karen and Chris converted to Catholicism under Monsignor Luciana at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Huntington, W.Va approximately ten years ago. They were current members at St. Lawrence O’Toole in Ironton, OH under Father Huffman.  Karen was known to many as “Carebear” and forever known to her grandchildren as “Mimi”. Karen (“Mimi”) and Chris (“Papaw”) were each other’s best friends, walking through life together, holding on to each other every chapter of their lives. They were extremely proud of each of their daughters’ success as well as Anna Grace’s accomplishments. Their greatest joy was the birth of each of their grandchildren, most recently their twin grandsons. Karen (“Mimi”) and Chris (“Papaw”) will continue to live on in the hearts of their daughters and grandchildren. They have instilled a lasting legacy of love in each of us, teaching us to love God, and to love each other. After many months and some very long days of an extremely hard fought battle with her illness and transplant procedure, Karen and Chris are finally “Home…Together Again”.  The viewing is December 28th, from 5:00-8:00pm at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary, 328 6th Ave., Huntington, W.Va., 25701 (304-525-8121) and at 10:00am until the start of the service at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1304 6th Ave., Huntington, W.Va 25701 (304-525-5202).  The funeral service is December 29th, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1304 6th Ave., Huntington, W.Va 25701.