Obituary of Karen Lanette Menefee Terrell

Minister Karen Lanette Menefee Terrell, was the firstborn to Alfred and Jeanette Menefee on November 3, 1961 in Leesburg, Virginia. Karen was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at her home in Herndon, Virginia. Karen met the love of her life on November 8, 1985. On November 25, 1985 they became a couple, shared many years of love and were joined together in marriage on February 12, 1994 at First Baptist Church, Sterling, Virginia.

Karen was educated in Loudoun County Public Schools and graduated from Broad Run High School, Ashburn, Virginia in 1980.  She later earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Christian studies at The Sure Foundation Theological Institute. 

Karen was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church, Sterling, Virginia by her uncle, the late Reverend John W. Thornton.  Her faith continued to blossom under the leadership of the late Reverend James E. Jefferies.  Karen accepted her calling in 1998 and was later ordained in 2002 at First Baptist Church, Sterling under the leadership of Bishop Leslie Patterson.  

Everyone who knew Karen knew she was sold out for the Lord. It showed through her regular and sincere “I Love You” to family and friends.  She also showed her love of the Lord through daily bible inspiration, sermons on her blog, and sharing Jesus with others.  She not only adored God, but, she adored her church. She showed this by attending Wednesday night Bible Study and all church services on Sundays. Karen also led the Prison Ministry on behalf of First Baptist Church where she would minister to inmates in both Loudoun and Fairfax County jails until her health prevented her from traveling.  Karen brought many inmates to Christ.  

Throughout Karen’s life she enjoyed many things. In her youth she loved to sing and was a member of the Gospel Group MN and T’s, with her cousins. They traveled all over singing at various churches. Karen’s strong voice touched many lives.  She always looked out for her family and tried to protect them at all cost even in her later years.  She made it a point to get on the Marco Polo video chat with her family to pray for them all. She was not only trying to protect her family physically, but also made sure their salvation was secured eternally. Whenever anyone was sick, she prayed for them.  One of Karen’s last scriptures she encouraged her family to read was Ezekiel 18:30-32, “Now I, the Sovereign Lord, am telling you Israelites that I will judge each of you by what you have done. Turn away from all the evil you are doing, and don't let your sin destroy you.  Give up all the evil you have been doing, and get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?  I do not want anyone to die, says the Sovereign Lord.  Turn away from your sins and live.” 

Karen was fearless. She was never afraid of new adventures. She enjoyed taking many family trips to the Bahamas, Florida and Atlanta Georgia to name a few. She even drove a 37-foot RV with confidence.

Karen had many talents. As mentioned singing, she also loved to bake and was famous for her orange brownies and chocolate lava cake. She worked in many industries. Her longest career was at the National Wildlife Federation where she worked for over 16 years. Karen worked as a bus attendant for Fairfax County Public Schools for 8 years.  In 2010, Karen suffered three back-to-back massive strokes which forced her into early retirement and disability. She remained faithful to God and through her various illnesses, God used her as a vessel to spread his word. Through her illness God used her to save so many souls and bring them to know him.

Karen leaves to cherish her memory, her children Kesha, Daniel, and Andre Adams of Herndon, Virginia. She loved them with all her heart and soul. She raised them to be just as strong as she was. Her devoted children took exceptional care of her through her illness after losing her husband in 2016.

Karen is also survived by her parents, Alfred and Jeanette Menefee of Winchester; brothers and sisters; Janet Menefee, Ohio; Debbie Johnson( Norman) of Winchester, Bruce Menefee of Winchester, Mitchell and Alfred Menefee, Jr. of Manassas.  Brothers and sisters-in-laws, Sandra and Tony Stevens, Zoe Ann and Allan Mulkey, Jeffery and Darlene Terrell, Robin Terrell.  Nieces and nephews; Jeanette, DaShawn, Juanita, Angela, Chantrea, Norman III, Sabrina, Tasha, Carlos, John, Jasmine, Isaac, and Eli, and many great nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband Daniel M Terrell Jr, mother and father-in-law Dan and Eunice Terrell.