07/31/2024
Karen J. Bittick, 76 of Center, passed away Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Shelby Emergency Department.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Short Methodist Church with interment following in Short Cemetery in Center, Texas.
Karen was born in Center, Texas, on September 2, 1947, to Royce Edward Johnson and Maxine McSwain Johnson. She graduated from Center High School in 1965 and later continued her education taking classes at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas after marrying Wayne Bittick in July of 1979. She accepted Christ as her Savior and shared her faith whenever the opportunity arose. Karen would prepare delicious recipes for family and friends to enjoy while visiting or playing a variety of games, finding numerous ways to share stories and laughter, and creating many great memories. She and Wayne enjoyed “going to the boat” and loved spending time together traveling to various places around the U.S. and Mexico! They both loved to visit and stay in touch with family and friends. Karen found numerous ways to stay in touch with many acquaintances she had known through the years through Facebook Messenger, Messages, her cell phone, and visiting while shopping or eating at favorite restaurants.
Karen worked with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department from September 1994 until her retirement in December 2015. During her years of service, she worked with four different administrations: Carl Shofner, James Moore, Newton Johnson, and Willis Blackwell.
She is survived by:
Her husband of 45 years, Wayne Bittick
Children:
Donna Bradshaw McSwain, and husband, Kelly
Branden Bradshaw, and wife, Cindy
Susan Bittick Thomas
Brian Bittick, and wife, Kristen
Grandchildren:
A J McSwain
Rick McSwain, and wife, Natalea
Payton McSwain, and wife, McKenzi
Brady McSwain, and wife, Katie
Dustin Chandler, and wife, Ashley
Jake Bradshaw, and wife, Keni
Chelsea Bradshaw Jernigan, and husband, Michael
Matt Mills
Brittney Thomas and fiancé, Justin Smith
Jaxson Bittick
Journee Bittick
Justiss Bittick
Great-Grandchildren:
James Lee McSwain
Celeste, Kyndra, Zeke, and Arlus McSwain
Evie McSwain
Collin and Blakeley Chandler
Jason, Kooper, and Kamille Bradshaw
Aubrie and Bryer Jernigan
Ollie Mills
Sisters:
Linda Johnson Winder
Angela Johnson Lawson, and husband, Royce
Brother:
Royce Lynn Johnson, and wife, Isabel
Stepbrothers:
William (Bill) Jernigan, and wife, Karen
Larry Jernigan, and wife, Lisa
Sister-in-law, Sandy Bittick Mead, and husband, Ronnie
Brother-in-law:
Jasper Bittick, and wife, Maureen
Michael Konzack, and wife, Nina
Aunt, Christine Mahan
Uncle, Robert (Bobby) McSwain, and wife, Connie
Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceded in death by: father, Royce Edward Johnson; mother, Maxine McSwain Jernigan; step-father, William (Bill) Jernigan; father-in-law, Wylie Bittick; mother-in-law, Iola Bittick; aunts, Billie Johnson Hoyt and Janie McSwain Johnson; uncles, Earl McSwain, Eddie Mahan, and John Hoyt; brothers-in-law, Ed Bittick, Eugene Bittick, and John Winder; and sisters-in-law, Patsy Rice and Jo Ann Davis.
