Karen Emogene Rose was born on March 9, 1951 in East St. Louis, Illinois to the union of William W. Rose Sr. and Frances Moore-Rose. Karen confessed a hope in Christ at an early age uniting with Macedonia Baptist Church.

Karen attended school in District #189. She attended Hughes Quinn and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970.

Karen departed this life on April 28, 2026. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her son, Weylin T. Rose; siblings, Dwight, Eileen, Reginald, and Danielle; six grandchildren, great grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.