Karen Sue Boyette

Karen Sue Ellison Boyette, age 82, of Perryville, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025. She was born January 12, 1943, in Ada Valley, Arkansas, the daughter of Oliver Carl Ellison and Essie Faye Wroten Ellison. She was the widow of Clyde Dale Boyette after 63 years of marriage. Karen was many things: loving, outgoing, a social butterfly, but more important, stubborn and independent. She went back to school to finish her senior year and graduate with her two oldest sons. She received a standing ovation and won the family bet of making the highest grades and won the trip to Florida. She worked as the Executive Assistant to the Principal at Perryville High School. She was everyone’s Mother and loved by all. She loved her family fiercely, working in the yard with her flowers, sitting on the porch looking at the water, talking on the cell phone, and scrolling Facebook once she learned how. She loved to cook and it wasn’t uncommon after church for her to feed 10-20 people. If you came by, you were guaranteed to be offered something to eat. Daddy said she was always happiest when babies were around. Her grands and greats were the light of her life. She is survived by her three sons, Clyde Boyette, Jr. of Perryville, Anthony Boyette of Perryville, Derik (Christie) Boyette of Perryville; daughter, Susan (Jason) Boyette-Greene of Little Rock; and a nephew Michael Ellison raised as her own; seven grandchildren, Anthony Boyette II, Kaleb (Mallory) Boyette, Kalee (Crystal) Boyette, Derik Boyette II, Jordan (Kevin) Graham, Gracie (Jacob) Boyette, and McKinley (Monte) West; five great-grandchildren, Daniel Boyette, Samuel Boyette, Sawyer Boyette, Stella Grace Boyette, and Lily Elyse Boyette; sister, Betty Kingrey of San Diego, California; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Other than her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Dillon Boyette; brothers, Millard Ellison, Willard Ellison, Billie Ellison, Edward Ellison, Jimmy Don Ellison, and Gordan Ellison; and sisters, Thelma Hickey, Ila Mae Worth, and Mary Green. Please join us in celebrating Karen’s life well lived at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6, at Harmony Baptist Church, 3915 AR Highway 10, Perryville, Arkansas, with Bro. Dennis Corder and Tony Harris officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Harmony Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. for friends and family. Pallbearers will be Clyde Boyette, Jr, Anthony Boyette, Anthony Boyette II, Kaleb Boyette, Derik Boyette II, Monte West, Jacob Guy, and Shawn Taylor. We want to extend a special appreciation to the staff at Fox Ridge Senior Living Chenal for loving our sweet Momma like their own. We will be forever grateful.

Karen Sue Boyette

January 12, 1943 - November 27, 2025