Today, we gather not in sorrow but in celebration of a life well-lived—a life transformed by faith, love, and joy. Karen Catrina Jackson, born on November 24, 1974, in Florida, was the beloved daughter of Eleanor Jackson and the late James Brown. 

 

Karen’s roots were firmly planted in Coconut Grove, Florida, where she spent her childhood and attended Robert Morgan Educational Center. Throughout her life, she embodied the spirit of community, working at the Miami Arena (now Kaseya Center) in security and concessions, always bringing a smile and a kind word to those she met. 

 

But Karen’s true story of transformation began in 2019. After facing the immense challenge of a stroke, she turned toward faith and found a renewed sense of purpose. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined a non-denominational church in Cutler Bay. This new chapter in her life was filled with hope, strength, and a deep, unwavering love for God. Karen’s journey with Christ wasn’t just a spiritual awakening—it was a testament to her resilience and determination to live a better, more meaningful life. 

 

To know Karen was to know laughter, warmth, and love. Her joy was infectious, her laughter contagious, and her sense of humor unmatched. She had a remarkable ability to connect with everyone, from the youngest members of the family to the oldest. Karen’s talent for imitating those she loved left everyone in stitches, and her presence always made life a little brighter. 

 

Her love for family was fierce and unwavering. Whether you were right or wrong, family or a close friend, Karen had your back, even if it meant putting herself at risk. She loved with her whole heart and lived with a passion for music and dancing—a dancing queen in her early years. She could light up the dance floor with her moves and light up a room with her spirit. 

 

On the morning of September 14, 2024, God called Karen home. Though we may feel the loss, we find peace knowing she is now in the arms of her Savior, dancing and singing with the angels. 

 

Karen was preceded in death by her father, James Brown, and her brother, Kelvin Isom. 

 

Her memory will live on in the hearts of her three (3) sons Corey (Claire), James, and her favorite son , Jacquez, her mother, Eleanor Jackson; her Grandchildren Carlie Jackson, James Jackson Jr., Jeylani Jackson, and Cyx Jackson, her brother, James Brown; and her sister, Latrenda Rolle. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles, all touched by the love and light that Karen shared so freely. 

 

We will forever remember Karen, not for the struggles she faced, but for the way she rose above them, finding strength in God, joy in her family, and laughter in every moment. We celebrate her life today, knowing her spirit continues to live on in all of us.

 

Rest in peace, Karen. Your journey here was filled with love, laughter, and transformation, and now your eternal journey begins.