Karen Bright

Karen "Kaylynn" Lynn Tidwell Bright was born on September 4, 1963, in Galveston, Texas, to the late Mr. Doss Tidwell and Mrs. Jimmie Leir Tidwell. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Mr. Doss Tidwell, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughters, Bella Bonet Bright and Bijou Beni Bright; her sister, Ms. Sharon Tidwell; and a host of extended family members, colleagues, former congregants, and friends.

Kaylynn grew up in Texas City, Texas, and graduated from La Marque High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and later studied production at Texas State Technical College in Waco. Her professional journey included work in media and entertainment in Miami Beach, Florida, as well as production work with Fox News after returning to Texas.

Answering a call to ministry, Kaylynn earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University and served within the United Methodist Church as Assistant Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Campus Pastor at Kilgore College, Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas, and Chaplain at Houston Methodist Hospital.

After leaving the Methodist Conference in 2019, she devoted herself to her daughters and continued her life of service with resilience and grace. Kaylynn will be remembered as a devoted mother, pastor, communicator, and woman of deep compassion and faith.