Karen Elaine Casey

Karen Elaine Casey, 68, of Lakeland, FL, died on February 1, 2024, following a sudden hospitalization and illness.

Karen was born in Great Lakes, IL, and raised in Rhode Island, where she fell in love with the ocean. She began attending college at Southeastern University, formerly known as Southeastern Bible College, where she fell in love with James Casey. They married and moved to Massachusetts where Karen completed her degree in Elementary Education at Worcester State College. She was a gifted Elementary school teacher, teaching first in Massachusetts and then for Polk County Schools in Lakeland until 1998, when her health caused an early retirement from formal teaching. However, Karen continued to teach, tutor, and mentor children in her home, as her health allowed.

Karen loved Jesus more than anyone or anything. She was eager to share the love of God with everyone she encountered. The daughter of Norice and Berdetta Gallop, Assemblies of God Pastors and Missionaries, she spent her life involved in both music and children’s ministries, playing the piano, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, volunteering in children’s church, and directing children’s choirs. She was most recently a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland.

Karen leaves behind her loving husband of 48 years, James, a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Jonathan Kelley, along with their boys Arlis, Linus, and Texas, a son and daughter-in law, James and Anika Casey, along with their 2 children, Kaitlyn, and Benjamin. She also leaves 5 siblings, Linda Jeffrey, Gerry Gallop (her twin brother), Susan Harper, David Gallop, and William Gallop, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply.

A celebration of life service will be held on February 10, 2024 at 10am at Victory Church, Light of Lights Chapel, 1401 Griffin Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810.