Karen Lyn Mahaffy Burgess died Thursday, March 23, 2017, following a short battle with multiple myeloma. Celebration of Life Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth. Inurnment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation to Freedom in Christ Ministries, 9051 Executive Park Drive, Suite 503, Knoxville, TN 37923. Lyn was born Aug. 9, 1945, in Iola, Kan. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Redfield Attending high school in Coffeyville, Kan., Lyn was part of the school newspaper staff, the pep club, and student council. As her family moved to Michigan before her senior year, Lyn was graduated from Three Rivers High School with honors in 1963. Lyn received an Associate of Arts degree from Coffeyville Junior College, a B.A. degree in History from the University of Denver, and an MBA from the University of LaVerne. As a young adult, Lyn was employed as a newspaper reporter and editor. She was a homemaker, teacher's aide, and print shop owner. Over the years, Lyn resided in eight states and two foreign countries. Lyn's primary career focused on serving non-profit Christian ministries in the Los Angeles area. She served as the vice president of the International School of Theology, executive vice president of Freedom in Christ Ministries, an advancement officer at Biola University, and as director of Development at Atherton Baptist Homes from which she retired. Lyn was active in Christian ministries. Lyn received a Certificate of Christian Ministry from the International School of Theology and was a pastor's wife for more than 30 years. She helped start two new churches and especially enjoyed mentoring women. Lyn became a Texan in 2008 when she and her husband moved to Fort Worth. Here, she was active at Christ Chapel Bible Church where she participated in various women's ministries, including mentoring. She and her husband hosted a weekly home group Bible study for several years. She greatly enjoyed reading. But her greatest love besides Christ was her family. She loved being with her children and grandchildren. She delighted in attending various school events of her grandchildren, whether in Colorado or Texas. Lyn's parents and her brother, Tom Mahaffy, preceded her in death. Survivors: Lyn is survived by Dr. Don Burgess, her husband of 51 years; children, Kirsten Wilson and her husband, Stephen, of Superior, Colo., and Joshua Burgess and his wife, Amy, of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, Daniel and Katie Wilson plus Thomas and Grace Burgess. Lyn is also survived by her sister, Nancy Plotkin and her husband, Ron, of Goodyear, Ariz.; her paternal aunt, Louise Hutson of Fort Worth; and several cousins.
Published in Star-Telegram on Apr. 2, 2017