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Karen Balez Obituary
She was born in Paducah, Kentucky on March 18, 1952 to the late James Kermit Phillips Sr., and late Kathleen Lovelace Phillips. She attended college in Mississippi before moving to Baton Rouge, LA where she began building her family and career. After 21 years in LA, she moved to Augusta, GA with her family where she lived for 24 years and finished her life-long career at BellSouth, retiring with 37 years of service in 2008. She and her husband moved back to Baton Rouge in 2015. She was passionate about her family, friends, animals and music, and she was a beautiful singer, violinist, pianist and tambourine player. She was a loving and gracious wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, and she will be missed tremendously by all who loved her.
She is survived by her husband William Balez; her two daughters, Alison Wasson Hilley, her husband Jason Hilley, and grandchildren Kendall and Walker; Alicia Wasson Burroughs, her husband Matthew Burroughs, and grandchildren Abigail and Levi; her sister Evelyn Elizabeth Mercer and her two daughters Kathleen Mercer-Moore and Shannon Mercer; her brother James Kermit Phillips Jr., his wife Carolyn and their two sons Scott Phillips and Kyle Phillips. She was also sister to the late Janice Phillips Smith who was survived by her husband Doug Smith and two daughters Sarah Smith and Evelyn Smith. She is also survived by two step daughters Kelley Balez Matthews, her husband Troy Matthews and step grandchildren Madison and Morgan, Tiffany Balez DeBenedetto, her husband Don DeBenedetto and step grandchildren Dominic and Nathan.
Memorial services will be held in Augusta, Georgia at Aldersgate Methodist Augusta, Georgia on January 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM with a short visitation with family following the service. A separate service will be held in Baton Rouge January 14, 2017. Entombment will be at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans in a private ceremony with family.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to Notre Dame Hospice of Prairieville, LA and University Hospital Care Foundation of Augusta, GA.~~The Augusta Chronicle - January 4, 2017
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Balez
Bruce Schwaegel
January 6, 2017
Sally and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to you and family. We are very sorry to hear of your loss.
Guy Chenard
January 6, 2017
Hi Bill, Maryse, Laurie-Maude, Gabriel and I are deeply saddened by your loss. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Karen suffering is over and we all pray that she is now in a better place. We wish you find comfort with your children and other love ones. We are here for you
Michael and vicki Mccullough
January 5, 2017
I'm so so sorry Bill I wish I knew what to say to bring you comfort. I wish Vicki and I had a chance to know her. I know she was very special because you are very special. Please let us know if we can do anything for you and your family. Love always Michael
Bobby Barbee
January 5, 2017
Saddened to hear about Karen.
She was a lovely woman and a lovely person and I am so proud to be her friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with family & friends who will miss her dearly.
Yvonne Redd
January 5, 2017
Karen was a beautiful friend and I admired her strength and love for others. Praying for family.
Christine and Josh Cochran
January 5, 2017
We're so sorry for the loss of this beautiful woman. Alicia, you and your family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Margret Schellhase
January 4, 2017
So sorry to hear about Karen, sending prayers and thoughts of sympathy to the family
Carole Lott
January 4, 2017
She will forever be a light in my heart.
January 4, 2017
I will always remember you my much older friend. Love you Gary and Sandra Simmons.
Mark Leary
January 4, 2017
Bill, my sincere condolences. Memories of the times with you and Karen always bring a smile.
Melinda Kelleher
January 4, 2017
Thinking of you and your family, Alicia, and lifting you all in love and light.
January 2, 2017
I send my sincere condolences during this very difficult time. May you all find comfort from the encouraging words found at 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
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