1958
Karen
2024
Karen Jensen Martin
April 15, 1958 — May 29, 2024
Pacolet, SC
Karen made her way into the world on Tuesday, April 15th, 1958, to Stanley and Doris Miers. She grew up in Miramar, Fl and graduated from Miramar High School in 1978. Growing up she loved horseback riding and owned her own horse. She would ride her little white Honda scooter out to the farm to feed the horse. Her love of animals started early.
Karen was a very private person and we’ve found out so much about her since her passing. She was a missionary to Jamacia from 1986 to 1990. Her faith was paramount in her life. She dug deep into the scriptures to find life’s answers and held fast to those scriptures throughout her life. She was a founding member of The West Spartanburg Church of Christ in Woodruff, SC.
For many years Karen was a staunch Republican in Spartanburg County. She started one of the first Tea Party Organizations in the state and traveled widely teaching members in other counties how to organize and make a real difference in their county and state elections. She was instrumental in guiding many candidates and making them ultimately members of county councils, local elected offices, state offices and even played a part in national elections. Her steady hand and keen eye of being able to read people will be missed greatly.
However, her first love was dogs, any and all dogs. Karen was Chairman of the Board and was one of the first volunteers for Animal Allies. The organization boasts of spaying and neutering 1900 dogs and cats per month. Animal Allies is known throughout the southeast for the work it does and is an example to other areas of how ordinary citizens can get involved to assist the community with keeping the dog and cat population under control.
Karen began volunteer work for Carolina Poodle Rescue Farm in 2000. She jumped in with her hands, feet and whole heart to provide shelter and adoptions for dogs, not only in the Upstate, but all up the East Coast from Florida to New York. In 2021 she physically moved to the Carolina Poodle Rescue Farm and became a staff member at CPR. She continued her work there and often provided shelter for other CPR workers. She was “Aunt Karen” to the staff and was often found baking goodies, making waffles, and handing out good common-sense advice to her teammates, most of whom were several decades younger than she.
Being let into Karen’s inner circle was a gift. She held her friends very close and would become a raging lion if a member of that circle was attacked. Her wisdom, leadership, and simple love of life will be missed by so many.
Karen is predeceased by her parents, her fur-babies, Couscous, Travis and many other dogs who greeted her with wagging tales and thousands of wet kisses upon her arrival into heaven.
Karen is survived by her fur-baby, Cinnamon and Foster Dog, Daisy, who will remain and be cared for by Carolina Rescue Farm the rest of their days.
A memorial service honoring Karen is scheduled for Saturday, June 15th at 5:00 p.m., at the Dunbar Funeral Home Chapel.
Because pets were such a huge part of Karen’s life, we know she would be honored to have donations made to either the
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Jensen Martin, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
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Memorial Service
Saturday, June 15, 2024
5:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
The J. M. Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory
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