Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Adversity fails to stop determined Karen Harper

Looking for an inspirational story? Well, here is one sure to inspire someone.

Eighteen years ago Kenneth and Karen Harper were married.

At the time she was a junior in high school. She and Kenneth decided they wanted to get married.

Her family and friends approved of Kenneth, however, they were concerned Karen wouldn't finish high school and even if she did, she wouldn't go on to attend college.

"I didn't want to become another statistic and I was determined to show everyone, including myself that anything is possible as long as your heart is in it," Harper said.

She graduated from Gurdon High School and started attending classes at Red River Vo-Tech in Hope. Harper received her degree and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

However, she was not through. She eventually went to school and became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Harper still was not satisfied and she went back to school and became a Registered Nurse (RN).

During all this time of school and family, she was working at the Nevada County Hospital in Prescott, where she was the Medicare Coordinator.

Later on she was the Home Health Director in Prescott, until it closed.

In 1998 Karen decided she wanted to know more about bookkeeping and accounting. Shortly after that she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business.

In December of 2000 she took the Nursing Home Administrators test and passed. She went back in February of 2001 and got her license for residential care.

She is currently employed at the Hospitality Care Center in Arkadelphia, where she is the Director of Nursing.

Harper said, "It wasn't easy to balance, church, family, work, school and all the other unexpected events that can happen in life.

"I had wonderful family support. My husband Kenneth has helped me tremendously and even went back to school to get his plumbing degree when I had finished."

Erma Buford, Karen's grandmother, also helped with Karen's two boys, Kenneth Jr., 14, and Kendall, 12.

"My grandmother had really helped me and supported me.

"My Aunt Clara Fort, who is now deceased, was a real inspiration for me," said Harper.

While talking, Harper expressed her love for God and the support given to her by her church family during her hectic schedule.

"I attend church at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. They have really inspired me also," said Harper.

She should be an inspiration to us all. She took a negative and made it her positive. People showed doubt and she showed determination.