Karen Reavis
/Karen Reavis
Four States Living Tribute To Women
photo by JOHN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
Karen Reavis strives to always be an encourager. An active wife, mother, and friend, she is married to David, and they have a son, Tim, and a daughter, Julie Larsen. Tim lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is married to Allison. They have two children, Milo (6) and Mabel (4). Karen and David’s daughter, Julie, and her husband, Brian, live in Waunakee, Wisconsin. They have three children, Noah (7), Jeremy (6), and Ruby (2). Karen admits that watching her two children become really great adults, marrying great spouses, and giving her and David five wonderful grandchildren blesses her immensely.
David and Karen while on a Disney World vacation with the family in 2019. Pictured with them are son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Allison Reavis and their children, Milo and Mabel; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Brian Larsen with their children, Noah, Jeremy, and Ruby; and Allison’s parents, Tom and Patty Frase.
Although Karen Reavis has had many occupations, she admits that she has two favorites. For 12 years, she was the co-owner of Texarkana Embroidery & Graphics with her friend, Peggy Speer. She has been retired from that business for six years. Currently, Karen enjoys her antique business, The Pickin’ Patch. “I set up at out-of-town shows and take all my goods to sell,” she admits. “I love digging in old barns and buildings! You never know what you’ll find!”
Karen’s proudest professional accomplishment was opening up Texarkana Embroidery & Graphics with each partner only contributing $500 and a 16 needle embroidery machine. The business grew exponentially and was very successful. She was able to make lifelong friends during those years, and she would “totally do it again.”
Shop with a Cop, First Choice Pregnancy Center, and 6K4Water are three nonprofit organizations that Karen enjoys supporting. Her best pieces of advice for other young women include: don’t get caught up or be consumed with what you don’t have; look around you and enjoy your blessings; and find a wonderful Godly older woman for a friend. “I think we all need someone wiser than us in our lives!” she remarks.
Karen’s mother, Carol Turley, has served as the greatest influencer in her life. “I have watched her go through some hard life obstacles, and I have seen her live life with such thankfulness,” she explains. “She is wise and prays daily for her family. I love her for doing this.”
There are two things that Karen enjoys doing to pass the time. She jokes that one of the things she loves doing is sitting on the back porch with David in the mornings while drinking coffee and talking about the same things they talked about the day before! As with most grandmothers, the second thing that Karen enjoys is being anywhere with all of her grands! She concludes, “They are just so much fun!”
“Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”
- from “It’s A Wonderful Life”
The way Paula McGuire sees her
Karen is a dear friend whom I admire for so many reasons. I have known her for over 10 years and have seen her walk through various seasons. Since I have known her, she has gone from empty-nester to selling a business she helped build, to becoming a grandparent, to starting a business that allows her to enjoy what she does as she travels to Little Rock to Wisconsin to be actively present for her adult children and growing grandchildren. She is an encourager and has a heart for women of all ages. She is a prayer warrior and passionately loves the Lord. I appreciate her and how she prioritizes her faith with her family while still having a business that she fits into the juggle. She is a woman that loves life and the people in her life well.
FUN FACTS
What is something unique about you that most people would not know?
“I used to be a really great water skier. At age 41, I slalom-skied for the last time. I told the people in the boat to watch because it’s never happening again!”
If you could have dinner with one person, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
“My sweet friend, Evelyn Tyler, who passed away last year.”
What music do you listen to in your vehicle?
“K-Love, and I sure love The Carpenters!”
What did you imagine yourself being when you were growing up?
“A girls’ high school basketball coach.”
What is the last gift you gave someone?
“A small porcelain pig. A little girl saw it at a Vintage Market Days recently, and she couldn’t help but kiss his head! I had to let her take it home.”
What is your favorite meal that you order regularly at a local establishment?
“The Cobb salad at Ironwood Grill is really good.”
If there was a movie produced about your life, which actress would portray you?
“No one from Hollywood. I’ll wait until one of the locals from Silvermoon Children’s Theatre makes it big!”