Karen Dawn Clayborne

On January 11, 1966, Karen Dawn Clayborne was born to Olan Burt Clayborne II and Jean Elvis Howelton Clayborne at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where Karen was raised in a close-knit family.

Karen accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior while attending Vacation Bible School at Mount Zion First Baptist Church in 1976. She was baptized by the late Reverend Claude W. Black, Jr., attended Sunday School, and sang in the Youth Choir. Her faith remained the foundation of her life.

As the oldest of five children, Karen naturally became a source of guidance and encouragement for her younger siblings. She enjoyed reading stories to them that they fondly remembered and creating artwork to share with them. They admired her intelligence, determination, and quiet confidence.

Karen attended Dorie Miller Elementary School, Salado Middle School, and graduated seventh in her class from East Central High School in 1984. During high school, she also participated in the prestigious Pre-Engineering Program (PREP), a summer enrichment program, graduating with honors. While attending The University of Texas at Austin, she returned during her summer breaks as a Program Assistant, encouraging younger students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and was an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers.

Karen began her career with NASA in Florida, contributing to work supporting the Space Shuttle program. She later returned to Texas to work for Rockwell International, where she also built a home that reflected her independence and love of technology. Long before working remotely became common, she created a dedicated home office filled with technical books, multiple computers, and monitors. Family members fondly remember her cheerful greeting, “I just put on my slippers,” announcing the start of another workday.

Karen later joined SAP, where her expertise led to an opportunity to live and work in Germany for five years. She subsequently accepted consulting assignments in Canada and provided information technology consulting services throughout North America.

Karen also enjoyed traveling and learning about different cultures. Her journeys included destinations throughout Europe, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and her beloved St. Lucia. One dream she especially treasured was visiting the library in Kenya named in honor of her parents.

Although Karen enjoyed a successful professional career, family remained her greatest priority.

She loved hosting holiday gatherings that brought family together around meals, conversation, and laughter. Following the loss of beloved family members, Karen chose to return permanently to San Antonio to be near her family and devoted herself to supporting her mother.

Karen quietly served others throughout her life. She researched medical treatments for loved ones facing illness, mailed masks and supplies to family members during the COVID-19 pandemic, shared financial and technology knowledge, and continually sought ways to improve the lives of those around her. During her final hospitalization, she continued speaking proudly about her family, even while facing her own illness. Karen saw life differently than many people and was, at times, misunderstood. Yet those who knew her best recognized her steadfast commitment to her family and friends.

Karen will be remembered for her intellect, generosity, loyalty, and unwavering love for her family. She met every challenge with faith, often repeating the words of Psalm 27:1:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Even during her final days, Karen described herself as “happy,” “blessed,” and “thankful,” often saying, “God has been so good to me.”

On July 10, 2026, Karen accepted the highest calling—to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Karen leaves to cherish her memory her loving mother, Jean Elvis Clayborne-Thomas; her brother, Olan Burt Clayborne III; her sisters, Carol Porter (Alfred), Kimberly Clayborne, and Kellie Maxwell (Troy); her step-siblings, Theodore Thomas and Tonya Thomas; her step-nephew, Theodore Thomas Jr.; her aunts, Shirley Bennett, Frances Clayborne, and Melissa Clayborne; her uncle, Otis Clayborne I; many cousins, extended family members, cherished friends, and all whose lives were touched by knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Olan Burt Clayborne II; her stepfather, General William Thomas; her maternal grandparents, Clemon and Monteen Howelton; her paternal grandparents, O.B. and Geneva Clayborne; and her uncle, Douglas Howelton.

Karen’s life reflected faith, perseverance, service, and love. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

Karen fought with courage, finished with grace, and kept the faith.

Well done, good and faithful servant.