Obituary for Karen Rae Roughton
Mrs. Karen Rae Roughton, 77, of Chesapeake died Wednesday, July 7, 2021, following a brief illness. She was born in Kansas City, KS., to parents Ralph E. Larson, Jr., and Billye G. Durr. Born into an Air Force family, she spent her childhood in Kansas, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia before graduating from Peru High School in New York in 1962.
Karen married her late husband Charles in November 1962 in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and moved to Norfolk, VA., as her husband began his long maritime career with McAllister Towing. They soon settled in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake where they would reside for the remainder of their lives. They had two children, Charles Eric “Eric” Roughton of Portsmouth, VA. and Alan Michael Roughton of Newport News, VA. Their daughter-in-law, Beth, and beloved granddaughter, Anslie Mae Roughton, also reside in Newport News with Alan. She eagerly awaited the birth of her second granddaughter but sadly passed before her arrival. Even though Karen was an only child she wholeheartedly accepted and was accepted by her husband’s family, including Charles’s numerous siblings and nieces and nephews.
Newly married in 1962, she and her husband Charles moved to Norfolk, VA., before settling in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake. Karen worked as a bookkeeper, eventually doing so for Independent Docking Pilots, Inc.-a company her husband helped found in 1987. She and her husband hosted many holidays and family reunions in their home. Karen was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Chesapeake for many years, supporting their public service mission while participating in the social and service life provided there. After her husband’s retirement in 2007, Karen continued her bookkeeping work while enjoying extensive travel, card playing and fellowship with her many friends and family.
Mrs. Roughton was predeceased by her husband Charles in 2020. In addition to her husband of 57 years, she was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Billye Larson. Karen is survived by her sons, Eric and Alan; her granddaughter, Anslie; sisters-in-law, Marie Dykes and Frances Roughton of Chesapeake, VA.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can made to the American Legion Auxiliary Post 280 or the Special Olympics. Visit her Book of Memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com where you may view the service if unable to attend or leave a note to the family.
Karen married her late husband Charles in November 1962 in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and moved to Norfolk, VA., as her husband began his long maritime career with McAllister Towing. They soon settled in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake where they would reside for the remainder of their lives. They had two children, Charles Eric “Eric” Roughton of Portsmouth, VA. and Alan Michael Roughton of Newport News, VA. Their daughter-in-law, Beth, and beloved granddaughter, Anslie Mae Roughton, also reside in Newport News with Alan. She eagerly awaited the birth of her second granddaughter but sadly passed before her arrival. Even though Karen was an only child she wholeheartedly accepted and was accepted by her husband’s family, including Charles’s numerous siblings and nieces and nephews.
Newly married in 1962, she and her husband Charles moved to Norfolk, VA., before settling in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake. Karen worked as a bookkeeper, eventually doing so for Independent Docking Pilots, Inc.-a company her husband helped found in 1987. She and her husband hosted many holidays and family reunions in their home. Karen was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Chesapeake for many years, supporting their public service mission while participating in the social and service life provided there. After her husband’s retirement in 2007, Karen continued her bookkeeping work while enjoying extensive travel, card playing and fellowship with her many friends and family.
Mrs. Roughton was predeceased by her husband Charles in 2020. In addition to her husband of 57 years, she was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Billye Larson. Karen is survived by her sons, Eric and Alan; her granddaughter, Anslie; sisters-in-law, Marie Dykes and Frances Roughton of Chesapeake, VA.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can made to the American Legion Auxiliary Post 280 or the Special Olympics. Visit her Book of Memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com where you may view the service if unable to attend or leave a note to the family.