Karen Sue (Choate) Stiltner

Karen Sue (Choate) Stiltner, 76, departed this life peacefully on January 12, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born on April 14, 1949, to Henry Levis “Brownie” Choate and Hilda M. (Steindorf) Choate in Alice, Jim Wells County, and was the second of their three children.

Karen was a true cowgirl, riding horses not long after she learned to walk. She attended public school in Alice, Texas, but academics were never as important to Karen as her participation in youth rodeos across South Texas. She loved to work cattle on the family ranches and was an accomplished and fiercely competitive barrel racer, winning many trophies and prizes in rodeo competitions.

Karen and Larry Lawson Stiltner were married in December 1969 and resided around the world as he furthered his career as a turbine engineer with oil field service companies. They resided in Saudi Arabia for several years, as well as Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Before finally returning to reside in the United States, Karen, Larry, and their children circumvented the globe in their extensive travels.

Karen and Larry were happily married for 37 years. They had two children: Richard Scott Stiltner of Johnson City, Tennessee and Jeffrey Levis Stiltner of Flower Mound, Texas. The limitations imposed by Larry’s lengthy illness caused Karen to become accomplished at driving large recreational vehicles that could accommodate the medical equipment that Larry required, and she continued those travels after he passed away in 2006. Karen enjoyed traveling extensively in the continental United States before settling down in Rockport, Texas, to be near her family members in South Texas.

Karen mourned the death of her son Richard Scott Stiltner and is survived by her son Jeffrey (Jennifer) Stiltner, grandson Nathan Stiltner (Dallas, Texas) and grandson Derek Stiltner (Johnson City, Tennessee), and brother G. Wayne Choate "Bill" of Corpus Christi, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jerry A. Choate and aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she had close relations.

Special thanks to the management and staff of Brookdale Trinity Tower, where Karen resided for the four years, for the loving care and nurturing environment that they provided during her residency.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Mineral Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being managed by Galloway & Sons Funeral Home, Beeville, Texas.

A luncheon will follow at the Beeville Steakhouse, 1912 N. St. Mary’s Street, Beeville, Texas.