Karen Maxine (Jones) O’Steen, retired educator, accountant and homemaker, passed away from this life on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the age of 85. Karen O’Steen was born in Blanco, Oklahoma, on November 9, 1940. She grew up in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, and graduated as the salutatorian of Pittsburg High School. After graduation, she attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961 and later completed her master’s degree in 1969. From 1961 to 1964, Karen taught middle school mathematics for Blackwell Public Schools.
On June 2, 1964, Karen married Jimmie Dale O’Steen in McAlester, Oklahoma. Following their marriage, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama. In 1967, they returned to Durant, Oklahoma, where Karen devoted herself to raising what she considered her greatest blessing—her family. In 1978, after all three of her sons were in school, she began working as an accountant at Swinney Drug, where she remained until her retirement in 1995. During retirement, Karen treasured time with her family, especially attending her grandchildren’s many activities. She was a faithful member of Northwest Church of Christ, where she spent countless Sundays and Wednesday’s teaching in the baby classroom and served as co-coordinator of the Feeders Program. She also loved participating in the ladies’ Sit & Sew group. Quilting was one of her greatest passions, and she could spend hours sharing the stories behind each piece of fabric. She made certain that every grandchild received a handmade quilt, with some fortunate enough to receive more than one. Later, while attending Durant Church of Christ, Karen enjoyed the fellowship of her friends and especially loved singing.
Karen is survived by her sons, Jerry Dale O’Steen and wife Ashley of Edmond, Oklahoma; Stephen Wayne O’Steen and wife Barbara of Durant, Oklahoma; and Mark Lee O’Steen of Centerville, Minnesota. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Tina O’Steen Thorne and husband Jared of Aubrey, Texas; Katy O’Steen Spillman and husband Todd of Texas; Casey O’Steen and fiancé Kenzlea Elkins of Milburn, Oklahoma; Shelby O’Steen of Edmond, Oklahoma; Connley O’Steen of Edmond, Oklahoma; twins Ashlyn and Eva O’Steen of Centerville, Minnesota. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren—Kenidee, Kambree, and Keedan Thorne of Aubrey, Texas—her beloved granddog, Bones, her sister, Patty Myers, and her brother, Ken Myers.
Karen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmie Dale O’Steen; her grandparents, Thomas and Annie Jones, who lovingly raised her and remained a constant source of love and support throughout her childhood; her five uncles—Iram, Hugh, Lewis, Jimmy, and Curtis “Cotton” Jones—whom she considered her brothers. Cotton held a particularly special place in her heart, ensuring she received her first pair of glasses, helped her enroll at Southeastern, and faithfully caring for her throughout her life. She was also preceded in death by her biological mother, Dorothy Jones West, and her father, Floyd Myers.
Family hour is scheduled Monday, June 29 from 6-8 p.m. at Brown’s Durant Funeral Service and services are planned for 10 a.m. on Tuesday June 30 at Durant Church of Christ, Durant, Oklahoma. Billy Albright and Mikey Davis will officiate. Burial will be at Lark Cemetery. Pall Bearers are Steve O’Steen, Casey O’Steen, Connley O’Steen, Jared Thorne, Todd Spillman and Mike Green.
A big thank you to Featherstone especially Amber, Ava, Cody, Jewels, Danae, Cooper, Daelyn and others. You treated her with such kindness and compassion. We knew she loved you all so much. To Centric Hospice, you made sure she had everything she needed and kept her comfortable and safe.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.