Karen O’Bryant Lai
December 31, 1947 – September 22, 2015
Karen Lai, 67 of Bryan, passed away on September 22, 2015 at her home under the palliative care of Hospice Brazos Valley. Her Celebration Of Life at the First Baptist Church-Bryan will be at 11am, Thursday, October 1, 2015. Cremation Tribute Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory.
Karen was born on December 31, 1947 to Mildred and Arvil O’Bryant of Louisville, KY. She was a graduate of Butler High School in Jefferson County, KY. Music and church were her life’s passion. Karen was a member of the Parkland Avenue Baptist Church of Louisville, KY for 10 years, the Walnut Street Baptist Church of Louisville, KY for 7 years, the First Baptist Church of Franklin, KY for 3 years, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Bryan, TX since 1980. She played the piano and violin, and did music vocal solos and choir singing. She was a member of FBC-Bryan’s Adult Bible fellowship on Sundays and played the piano for the group, the Women’s Bible Study group “Circle Of Friends” on Thursdays where she was one of the alternate teachers. Karen and her husband, Melvin, served as leaders of the Grief Share Group at FBC Bryan from 2012 – 2014. From 1984 – 1989, she was the two to three year old preschool teacher at the day care center at FBC-Bryan. She later retired to take care of her special needs child, Kimberly.
Karen is survived by her husband of 46 years, Melvin of Bryan, whom she married on November 1, 1969 in the Walnut Street Baptist Church of Louisville, KY; a daughter Melissa Gibson and her two sons, Ross and Aaron of Bryan; a son, Alan Lai and wife, Sandy, and their two daughters, Anela and Alani of Austin; her two brothers, Mark O’Bryant and wife Hannah of Marysville, Indiana, Timothy O’Bryant and wife Lori of Marysville, Indiana, and her uncle Charles Simmons and wife, Brenda of Georgetown, Indiana. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Arvil O’Bryant of Louisville, KY and Mildred O’Bryant Lowry of Leitchfield, KY, and her daughter Kimberly Anela Lynn Lai whom she devoted her whole life in caring for her for 39 years.
Memorial donations are asked to be given in Karen’s honor to the Lottie Moon Missons Offering in care of FBC-Bryan 3100 Cambridge Drive Bryan, TX 77802 and/or Hospice Brazos Valley 502 W. 26th St. Bryan, TX 77803.
Melvin,
Janis and I offer prayers for you and your family, and our most sincere condolences. We wish only the best for all of you. God bless. We will see you at the visitation and the memorial service.
Janis and Troy, Both of you have been a great and close friends to Karen and me. Karen’s wish was to have spent more time with you. We enjoyed the moments that we shared. Thanks for all your love and support, Melvin.
Our prayers, love and condolences go out to you Melvin, Melissa, Alan and the rest of your family. Karen was a true child of God and is with Jesus.
Mark and Brenda Conley
Mark & Brenda, Good to hear from you both. You are not forgotten. Your love and prayers are warmly received by the Karen Lai Family. Melvin
I’m deeply saddened to hear about Karen’s passing. I enjoyed my time with her and glad she was able to return home after fracturing her leg. I’m glad I was there to help her through some of her obstacles. She will be missed. From the therapy staff at Lampstand
Amber, Karen talked a lot about the way that you and the rest of the rehab
Amber, Karen talked a lot about the way that you and the rest of the rehab people
treated her with care and respect. At times at the St.Joe’s Rehab Center, Karen would call out for you as if you were there to help her. To her you were the adopted daughter. Please keep Karen and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Your will not be forgotten, Melvin
Our love and prayers are with your family. We will miss seeing Karen’s sweet smile. May you feel God’s love and comfort today and the days ahead.
Judy and Richard, I know that Karen loved you both through out the years. You have always been a great and close friend to the both of us and to our family. We share many memories. Love, Melvin and Family
May you feel God’s loving arms wrapped around your family during this time of sorrow and loss. Charlie and I will continue to lift your family up in prayer. I will miss my sweet friend and continue to think of her often. Love to all.
Karen and Charlie, Our families were much a like in many ways…count the ways. Thanks for the memories. Love, Melvin and family.
Melvin- My deepest condolences to you and your family. It was a pleasure knowing both you and Karen in the time we spent in Grief Share. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Melissa, The times we share in Grief Share have been an inspiration and hope to Karen and me. Thanks for being there for us during those times and now. You will not be forgotten for what you shared with us and the group. Love, Melvin and family.
Melvin,
My prayers are with you and the family,
Rosemary
Melvin,
My prayers are with you and the family,
Rosemary
Rosemary, You have been a close and friend and confidant to Karen. Thanks for all your support to Karen throughout the years. Love, Melvin and family
Melvin,
My prayers are with you and the family,
Rosemary
So sorry for your family’s loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so saddened to hear of the loss of Mrs. Karen. She was an amazing Christian lady and a great neighbor for many years. My condolences to the Lai family. God bless you.
Hi former neighbor of Skrivanek, the years gone by have not kept all of us apart. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Karen and her family. Your kindness to Karen have been an inspiration to her. Love, Melvin and family.
Mel,
We are so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing! May God surround you with His peace and comfort. Your love and devotion to her was an example for us all.
Love you,