Karen Cox Ham, 69, of Hickory, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Heritage of Cedar Rock in Mocksvulle.

She was born on February 2,1957, in Fayetteville, to the late David Grant and Ruth Arlene Steele Cox.

Karen dedicated 25 years of her life to serving as a school counselor, working in the Wilmington area and throughout the North Carolina counties of Guilford, Rockingham, Catawba, and Burke. Throughout her career, she counseled students from elementary through high school and was especially passionate about helping them obtain scholarships to further their education.

Karen was a vibrant, loving, and loyal woman who deeply loved the Lord, her family, and her friends. She never met a stranger, and her warm, welcoming spirit left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. To know Karen was truly to love her.

Survivors include her husband, Linzey Ham of the home; her loving sister, Janine Cox King (James) of North Myrtle Beach, SC; her sister-in-Christ, Patricia Ham of Lexington.

No services are scheduled at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be considered for Gentiva Hospice, 1308 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677; or Tri-City Baptist Church, 1409 NC-16, Conover, NC 28613.

Online condolences may be made at www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com