Jan. 23, 1945 – Jan. 10, 2022

Karen I Jones Lamb died at her home on Decatur on January 10, 2022. Karen was born on January 23, 1945, to William and Emma Jones of Decatur. She spent most of her childhood on Decatur and attended the University of Washington. In 1968 she met and married George Lamb. She graduated from Seattle Pacific in 1970 with a degree in education.

Karen and George moved to Lopez with the first of their 3 children in 1970 so that Karen could begin her long career in teaching. After moving to Decatur, Karen taught 1/2 days at first from her home for the Lopez school district. George, an excavator, contractor and builder, built the Decatur School in 1980 where she continued teaching till her retirement in 2006.

Karen was a beloved teacher known for her dedication and enthusiasm for learning. She was fond of telling her students “If you aren’t kind, you aren’t anything.”

She had a real love for history and genealogy. A descendant of John P. and Tacee Reed who settled Decatur in 1869, Karen was very proud of her Tlingit heritage. Tacee Reed was the niece of Tlingit Chief Shakes. Karen published “Native American Wives of San Juan Settlers” in 1994.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, George, daughter Kendra Lamb, daughter Tacee and grandchildren Palace and Jack, her son Reed and daughter-in-law Colleen and her grandson Everett Morris.

Funeral services for Karen will be at Center Church on Lopez Island, 1 p.m. on Jan. 20. You are welcome to attend and celebrate Karen’s memory with us.

To share memories of Karen, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/karen-lamb