I Have Fought a Good Fight

Karen Elaine Montgomery

June 26, 1959 — February 01, 2014

Karen Elaine Montgomery was born to Frazier and Ella Ruth (Wagner) Porter on June 26, 1959. Karen attended elementary and high school in the San Diego area. After attending the local community college, Karen entered into one of the many employments of her adult life. Karen was employed as a librarian assistant, bus driver, cashier, teacher's aide, store manager, seamstress, and quilter. In 1983, Karen gave birth to Monae, the first of her five children. In 1984, Karen gave her life to the Lord and was introduced to her husband not long afterwards. After 9 months of courtship they were married in 1988. To this union four children were born: Nika, Raquel, Karin and Carnell, III. Karen and Carnell started their married life in Allensworth, CA. Karen was very active in the community, serving as board president of the water company and the school district. She worked real hard to secure funding and food for the residents of Allensworth. After 16 years in Allensworth, Karen and family moved to Bakersfield in 2004.

In Bakersfield she touched so very many lives, working and teaching classes at To Quilt & Sew and other places in the city. She easily made many friends and really enjoyed going to the quilting shows, whether locally or out of town. "T-shirt quilts were her specialty and many happy customers enjoyed the precision she employed when making a quilt. The Francisco Family enjoyed raffling her quilts to help support their children who attended college. Karen was a member of the Church of God, ELS where she attended church in San Diego, Los Angeles and finally Bakersfield. Karen served in many positions, but was best-known as unofficial 'supervisor' of the kitchen. Karen was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. After a double mastectomy the cancer returned in 2012. She continued fighting until 2014, when the cancer reached the brain! At that point she told us, "I have fought a good fight. I am ready to go be with the Lord. Jesus has been talking with me, telling me that he is on his way to get me and I am ready to go!" Karen peacefully went to be with her Lord on February 1, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, 5 children, 2 grandchildren, 3 brothers, a foster father and family, a host of family members, church members, and close friends.

She was remembered in Bakersfield on Friday night at Basham and Saturday morning at Calvary Bible Church. She was interred in San Diego on February 12, 2014. Please send cards, letters, and gifts to her daughter, Nika L. Walton, P.O. Box 785, Bakersfield, CA. 93302.