Karon J. Rosa

Dr. Karon J. Rosa of North Little Rock, Ark., and Palm Beach, Fla., passed away on July 24, 2020. She was born June 16, 1947, in Mountain View, Ark., to the late Albert Sherman Branscum and Mollie Passmore Branscum. Karon was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Rosa. Survivors include daughters, Kara Rosa of Palm Beach, Fla., and Kris McKenzie of Little Rock, Ark., grandchildren, Chandler, Jett and Beckham McKenzie; siblings, Gloria Branscum, Pattie Hoffmann, Jack Branscum and Pamala Branscum; and her special friend of the last two years, Ron Oliver; as well as many additional family members and friends. Karon enjoyed reading, traveling, theater, art, decorating, cooking, canning, gardening, quilting, sewing, and walking at least 10,000 steps daily. She loved her treasured family and many friends. She shared lots of interests with her two daughters, Kara and Kris, and nothing gave Nana more pride than her three grandchildren, Chandler, Jett and Beckham McKenzie. She was fondly known as Nana Kake by the grandchildren's friends and teachers. She devoted numerous hours reading and volunteering in her grandchildren's schools. Karon could take an ordinary or burdensome day and turn it into a magical and wonderful adventure. Karon was an educator who recognized that education was the key to success. While in her role as a teacher, she provided a safe harbor for all students. Karon taught in the elementary school at Mountain View, Ark., where the family lived until moving to North Little Rock to continue their ownership of Rosa Enterprises. Karon earned her masters degree in education from UCA Conway in 1972. She continued her career in higher education at Remington College, traveling and speaking throughout the United States. Karon received her doctorate in higher education from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. After achieving her doctorate she became the program director for the Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Karon lived a full life in retirement including establishing a residence and life in Palm Beach, Fla., where she found peace walking the beaches every day. She never knew a stranger and was Momma Rosa to many in both Palm Beach, Fla., and North Little Rock, Ark. While living in Palm Beach she became an advocate and supporter for Compass Community Center in Florida. A celebration of Karon's life will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday August 1, 2020, at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, followed by a gathering of family and friends, outside in the garden area on the 1st floor at Lakewood House, 4801 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, at 5 p.m., Saturday. Karon's ashes will put to rest with her husband, Charles Rosa, at Flatwoods Cemetery in Mountain View. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2020. A service and gathering is to be determined at a later date in Palm Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, submissions can be made to www.compassglcc.com or mail to: Compass, 201 North Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth, Fla. 33460, or to the Stone County Historical Society, P.O. Box 210, Mountain View, Ark. 72560 in Karon's name. State of AR COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required. Maintain social distancing. Online guestbook www.SmithFamilyCares.com