Karen Diane Harper, age 61 of Hot Springs, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025.  She was born on February 16, 1964 in Harbor City, California to the late William Gerald Harper and Shirley Sheehy Harper.  She grew up in California and Arkansas, graduating from Ouachita High School.  Karen worked in food service and cosmetology for most of her life.

Karen was beautiful her entire life.  She won many beauty pageants over the years.  She had a beautiful cat, Hazel Grace, that she loved so much, and who now lives with Karen's Aunt Mary.  Karen had a very inquisitive mind.  She took interest in others and could draw out their life stories.  Karen was very sick the last years of her life and was so brave and strong.  Every time she was sick or hospitalized, her caregivers fell in love with her.  They'd say she was their "favorite".  Those beautiful brown eyes and rosy lips made her so pretty even when she was very sick.  Her greatest loves were Jesus and her children.  She was so sad to lose sons, Austin and Blake Hammond, and then one of her twins, Jacqueline Fitzgerald, to cystic fibrosis.  Karen asked "Why?" many times, but leaned on Jesus for strength.  Karen was also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, who helped raise her, Coye and Willie Harper.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, John and Kelly.  Her Aunt Mary had the privilege of overseeing her care the last year.  She will miss her beautiful niece and the "Hi, Aunt Mary!" said with gusto everytime she saw her.  They grew very close. God is good.

Karen is now in the arms of God.  We all rejoice in her body being whole and well—no more sorrow—no more pain.  God bless you and keep you, Karen, till we meet again.

She is survived by her sons, Johnathan Harper of Las Vegas, Nevada and Kelly Fitzgerald of San Diego, California; by her twin sister, Sharon Alice Harper of Malvern; her aunt, Mary Ann Harper of Malvern; her uncle, Wendell Harper of Washington State; and by many cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.