Karen Delores Burch-Danyus was born on March 12, 1959 in St. Louis, MO to Ollie Mackins and Elise Steward. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age.

Karen received her education at Lovejoy and East St. Louis School Districts. She united in wedlock to the love of her life Mr. Donald E. Danyus on November 4, 2020.

Karen moved from Lovejoy, IL to East St. Louis, IL in 1970. She united with Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in 2010.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her twin grandsons, her sisters, Corrine Newton, Janie Mullins, and Valerie Mackins; her brother, Orval Mackins.

Karen departed this life on October 5, 2024. She is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Danyus; her daughter, Karennythia Sykes; her son, Darrell Miles; her granddaughters, Zharya Hammock and Sydnee Miles; grandson, Lamarrion Ford; 8 sisters, Ollie Cunningham, Dorothy Wallace, Mary Newton, Debra Bristol, Diane Blair, Sherry Sherrill, Ella Nunn and Carla Sherrill; 7 brothers, Otha Newton, Jr., Isaiah Newton, Darron Mackins, Clarence Newton, Adrian Mackins, Arthur Sherrill and John Sherrill; 4 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law and a host of step-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.