Karen Christine (Gowens) Spraggins

Karen Christine Spraggins, 79 formerly of Allegan and Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Traverse City, MI. Born July 14, 1943 in Allegan, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Roslyn (Ross) and Vivian (Chandler) Gowens and the wife of the late Cornell Spraggins.

She just enjoyed the journey! Over her lifetime, she enjoyed living in several locations such as Allegan, Kalamazoo, Paw Paw, Traverse City, and Alabama, to mention just a few. Traveling with her late husband, Cornell, was a great love of hers. She was up for any journey along the way and enjoyed the numerous trips to the Sugar Shack (also known as Grandma’s Cottage) and visiting family in different cities or states like Utah and California. If you mentioned that you wanted to take a car ride or explore any area, she would be the first one in the car!

Upon her arrival to Alabama, for many years, she began living with and caring for her aging family members. During this time, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses she was able to thrive sharing in the ministry, preaching to others about the kingdom hope that is in the Bible. She spent many hours helping others better themselves, watching them draw closer to Jehovah God and being followers of Jesus Christ.

Loving her boys was first and foremost very easy for her. The time she spent with them showed that life wasn’t always easy as she helped them navigate life’s troubles. Throughout the years, she left an example of how to meet life’s challenges as best as you can, all the while with her love for them beaming through it all. Karen also loved spending time with her family and helping teach life lessons to her special niece “Rhoda”. 

She loved life! She delighted in listening to music, playing cards, having make-up and manicure time with nieces, and fishing with family members. When you heard her laugh and giggle, you knew she was up to something! Being quite the jokester, she always waited to see the reaction that people had. It literally warmed her heart watching a smile brighten their faces.

Karen spent many years as a Mental Health Tech working in the Psych Ward of the Kalamazoo State Hospital. Her big open heart showed as she cared for others. She relished in helping many people throughout her life.

Karen is survived by her three boys, Roberto “Robbie” Montalvo, Renaldo “Nonnie” or “Ronnie” Montalvo, and Ricardo “Ricky” Montalvo; one brother, Ronald “Ronnie” Gowens; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Those who preceded her in death are her parents, Roslyn and Vivian Gowens; her second husband, Cornell Spraggins; her son, Thomas “Tommy” Montalvo; and four siblings, Yvonne Gowens, Michael Gowens, Gloria Younger, and David Gowens, Sr. 

The family will meet with friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at which time the memorial service will begin. Inurnment to follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Allegan, Michigan.

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