Karen Brickhouse

What can we say about this amazing Woman? Karen was born in Colington, NC in her grandparents' house, Karen Dolores Peterson was the oldest of four children born to Alda Moore Peterson and John C. Peterson on March 12, 1942. A true native of Dare County, Karen grew up on Colington Island and at the See Sea Motel in Kill Devil Hills which was built and run by her parents. She caught her first fish with her Granddaddy Johnny Moore and lived with Johnny and her Grandmother Cloey Beasley Moore when her father was away in World War II. Karen loved the outdoors, climbing live oaks, catching blue crabs, and exploring all around Colington Island with her siblings and cousins. Karen was the older sister to Margie, Cheryl, and Carl Peterson. She was always the one everyone looked up to and went to for advice.
Karen's lineage dates back hundreds of years to the Native Americans on the Islands along with her German and Irish descents coming from men who survived shipwrecks at sea and swam to shore. The Peterson side coming from the shipwreck of the USS Huron. On the Irish side, Karen's grandfather Johnny Moore was a witness to the First Flight by the Wright Brothers. He was the youngest witness to that first flight on December 17,1903 and was also the last living witness. Karen took great pride in being the Family historian by collecting pictures, newspaper clippings, and other cool stories about her Family's history.
In 1958, Karen would meet the man of her dreams. They met at the famous Casino on The Outer Banks. It would be just under a year on June 7,1959 that Karen married Milton Lee Brickhouse, Sr. They were married for almost 58 years before Milton passed in 2016. In those 58 years Milton and Karen started a Family with two amazing kids, Lee and Lisa. They built businesses together and loved traveling together. They had two beautiful granddaughters, Cloey and Emily that meant the World to them. They were very protective of not just their children and grandchildren but of all their kinfolks. Always looking out for everyone and making sure all our lives were the best they could be.
Besides Karen's gift for making everyone feel loved and appreciated, she also had many artistic gifts from her amazing cooking skills to her cake decorating to interior design and painting to her impressive sewing skills, she was exceptionally talented. And then there were her "ornaments." Karen was known for her hand made Christmas Ornaments each one handcrafted and made with love.
Some of Karen's most noble acts were as a Caregiver, from raising her children to caring for Family members, Karen always gave so selflessly to others. If you needed something, without hesitation she would be right by your side to help you out.
She loved music and dancing. She loved singing but always said "she couldn't carry a tune in a bucket." Karen was one of the strongest women ever. Her strength and commitment to her Family were just a couple of her strong suits.
Some words that have been used to describe Karen are loyal, loving, caring, classy, fun, beautiful, creative, funny, honest, a diligent worker, has a heart of gold, a great friend, and an awesome big sister.
Surviving are Karen's caring and dedicated children her son, Milton Lee Brickhouse, Jr. of Columbia, her daughter, Lisa Brickhouse Davis. (husband, Jesse Davis of Manteo); her beautiful sisters Margie Johnson (Dan Johnson) and Cheryl McDonald (Jim McDonald). Sister-in-laws: Judy Peterson, Sharon Dickerson, Eloise Brickhouse, Sharon Brickhouse-Miller and brother-in-law, Randolph E. Brickhouse of Currituck; two grandchildren, Cloey Elizabeth Davis, and Emily Ann Davis; along with many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband Milton Lee Brickhouse, Sr: her younger brother Carl Peterson and her mother and father Alda and John Peterson.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, at 2:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation an hour prior to the funeral service. Following the service a graveside committal will take place at Hilltop Cemetery. The family welcomes all to join them at her home to have food and fellowship at 93 Oberlin Road, Wanchese, NC 27981.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen, please visit our floral store.