Karen Amber Cardin

karen cardin

March 12, 1959 ~ October 7, 2024


Resided in: Linden, Texas

Karen Dillard Cardin, 65, of Linden, Texas, passed away unexpectedly at her home on October 7, 2024. Born on March 24, 1959, in Houston, Texas, to John and Jacqlyn Dillard, Karen lived a life full of love, compassion, and dedication to her family, friends, and animals.

A strong, Christian lady, Karen was a beloved mother, sister, and friend. She was known for her warm heart and her love of music. She found joy in the music and vibrant atmosphere of the places she worked as a bartender for many years. Her love for animals was unmatched, and her passion for horses led her to spend countless hours riding and caring for them.

Karen’s deep connection to animals extended far beyond horses. She worked as a veterinary technician for many years and became known in her community for her work with raccoons. She provided specialized care for these often misunderstood creatures, even raising several from babies. People often turned to her when no one else could help. Her dedication to their well-being was a reflection of her kind and nurturing spirit.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Cardin, and her parents, John and Jacqulyn Dillard. She is survived by her son, James Clark of Houston; her sister and brother-in-law, Vickie and Robert Russell of Linden; her nephew, Bobby Russell and his wife, Maria; her niece, Kathryn Brown and her husband, Bruce; her great-nieces, Lily and Gabby; her great-nephew, Julian; and extended family, as well as many cherished friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

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Guestbook

  1. Candle 8Oh My Heart hurts Karen.. You will be so missed. You were one of my closest friends. I told you when we met we would be life long friends I just wish we had more time. You had a heart of gold and touched so many peoples lives and we be greatly missed. I sure hope you are up there with Pitty Pat getting all kinds of lovins. Until we meet again.

  2. Candle 2You will be dearly missed and we all love you so much. I can smile because i know you are running and playing with all your animals in heaven with Jesus and that I know you are not in pain and have been given a new body.

  3. Candle 8I am so glad you are not in any more pain but you’ve left us with a big hole in our hearts. I miss you so much my dear friend. You were such a light in so many lives. I’ll be seeing you at the Rainbow Bridge when I get to see all my critters again. Love you so much girl. ❀️

  4. Candle 5Karen was such a wonderful person. She had a love for animals especially raccoons and horses. Karen helped save so many raccoons lives. We truly lost an Angel.

    • Be with your babies in heaven ❀️❀️❀️❀️
      You will be so missed !!! Love you.

  5. Karen in the short time I knew you, you became a friend. Your knowledge and huge heart to help others will live on. Thank you my friend for your love of trash pandas and your love to help others. I will miss our chats. πŸ¦πŸ¦πŸ’™πŸ™

  6. Candle 5I’m sad you’re gone but I can smile knowing what a joyous reunion there must of been at The Bridge with your beloved Pitty Pat. Till we meet again my sweet, kind friend.

  7. So very sorry to hear you are gone. I will miss you so much. Thank you for everything you taught me about raccoons.

  8. Candle 2Karen has been honoured to live her life doing what she loved most, saving animals. In her passing her final task was to help her rescues to the bridge. You will always be remembered and honoured for your dedication.

  9. God bless you for all of the hard work you’ve done for all the animals you’ve loved!
    Rest in peace.

  10. Candle 2Such a kindhearted beautiful soul. She was always so helpful when I had my Coonie. She will be missed πŸ¦β€οΈπŸ™

  11. I didnt personally know you but anyone with love and compassion for Racoons are angels , Thank you for all you done for all those babies you saved may you rest in peace

  12. Candle 1I know when you got to the Rainbow Bridge there were many precious fur babies there to meet you. The gates of Heaven had to open really wide to get them all in. You will be missed here by many as well.

  13. Candle 7I didn’t know you personally but I heard good things about you and I know you helped many raccoons, saved their lives in my book you’re part of my raccoon family

  14. An Angel here on earth is now in heaven with all her loved ones. Peace to all of Karen’s family and friends. The animal world has lost a true champion

  15. Candle 8We are all so sorry and we miss Karen everyday and we have peace knowing that we will see her later in enterity.
    Phyllis, Stephen & Ainsley Terrell.

  16. Candle 5Rest in peace. I’m sure all of your lost fur babies were there to greet you. Thank you for helping the raccoons. As a rescuer myself, you are part of my raccoon family.❀️

  17. Candle 4You will be greatly missed. The world has truly lost another earth angel. Prayers to your family and may God bless your kind and loving soul. Til we meet again.

  18. Candle 2You left to soon, Karen. We had so many plans. But now you’re gone.. I look for your name across my phone screen just to remember that it will never show again. Your absence of presence seems so abnormal. The light you shined into the world has gone dim. It couldn’t be any more noticeable. You believed in me, encouraged me, pushed me. You enlightened me, and understood my pain, and helped fill the voids of my loss. But most of all, you loved me more than anyone has ever done so before. You didn’t just say it, but proved it. You made me laugh. You helped me in emergency situations, so many times. And helped me keep my babies alive as long as possible. You filled my head with so much knowledge. And told me stories about your life. I only wish there was time to hear more. That there was still an opportunity to give the same love back to you. I know that you weren’t ready to go. If only one of us could have been there to save you, like you saved all of us. To me you were not a friend. You were my momma, too. Why are the best ones always taken? Why did it have to come to this? This is not what we had in mind for our first visit.. I love you.

  19. Candle 5Judy Davison
    I have know Karen for years since she lived in McCoud. I would meet her and Kim Stark to go riding. I had no idea she passed.We just Loss Kim this month. I just texted her other day to check on her. So sad I have list them both with in a month of each other. Yah enjoy riding your horses, playing with your dogs, and raccoons
    Miss you both so much.😭😭


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