Karen Diane Wootton Myers

Karen Diane Wootton Myers, 68, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter returned to her heavenly home on March 31, 2023.  Karen was born in Phoenix, Arizona on October 16, 1954 to Clayton Wootton and Luanne Hanks.  She attended school in the Phoenix area, graduating from Alhambra High School in 1973.

Karen married the love of her life and eternal companion, James “Ed” Myers Jr., on January 4, 1974 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  After the birth of their first two children, Ed and Karen moved to Portland, Oregon, where they lived for 6 years.  They welcomed two more children while living in Portland, before returning to the Valley where their last child was born.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Karen served in many capacities including Primary worker, Relief Society instructor, and Webelos leader.  

Karen loved to spend time reading, especially in the fresh air of the White Mountains, where she and Ed took their family every summer to camp on the banks of the West Fork of the Black River.  She was often found in a hammock with a book.

Family was a top priority, delaying her education and career to raise her five children.  She returned to school earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northern Arizona University. After completing her education, she spent over 20 years teaching English in the West Valley, primarily for 7th and 8th grades.  She retired sooner than she had hoped due to her health.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Clayton Jay Wootton, husband, Ed Myers, daughter, Christy Myers Smith, and all four of her grandparents.  She is survived by four children, Jim (Marcy) Myers of Monroe, WA, Clayton (Valerie) Myers of Mesa, AZ, Scott (Jenn) Myers of Gilbert, AZ, and Bonnie (Jason) Giles of Othello, WA; her mother, Luanne Hanks, of Sun City, AZ; her siblings, Arlis Travis of San Diego, CA, Barry (Kaye Lynn) Wootton of Draper, UT, and Lynn (Ira) Gentry of Utah; 15 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Lawn Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Bunker Family Funeral Home, Garden Chapel in Mesa, AZ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.