Biography: On December 5, 2007, Karen Sue Lackey, 63, of Little Rock, went home to Heaven after a complicated battle with cancer. She was born on May 21, 1944, to the late Harold and Florita Potter. She is survived by her children, Dr. Timothy Lackey of St. Louis, Missouri, Sonya Lackey of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kevin Lackey of Fayetteville; three brothers, Larry Potter of Alexander, Richard Potter of Jacksonville, and Randy Potter of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and her fiancé, Bob “Sody” Arnold. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, a university named after her great-great-grandfather, Andrew Mellon. Karen committed her life to helping others achieve more. She worked for various non-profit agencies such as Wildwood for the Performing Arts and Easter Seals. These posts were more than just “jobs” for Karen, she put her soul into them. Most recently, she served as the CEO for the Arkansas Respiratory Health Association and contributed greatly to the Association’s remarkable increase during her tenure. Karen was also active in politics and had occasion to run a number of state and local campaigns. Once committed to a candidate, she was that person’s greatest cheerleader; constantly thinking ahead and handling the details; but, more important to Karen, she always put someone else before her own interests. Karen loved the arts and was always intrigued with beautiful art, theatre, and music. She was a wonderful pianist herself and often remarked that a particular child had the “fingers” to be a great piano player. Karen was known to love hats. She appreciated an opportunity to don a beautiful ball gown and exuberant hat to celebrate a great cause. She loved to travel to exotic and amazing places – she and Sody took cruises to the end of the world and back and enjoyed every second of their time together. The videos of Karen and her mementos of those trips will be treasures for her friends and family for years to come. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2007, at Ruebel Funeral Home. A service to celebrate her life is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2007, in the sanctuary (north, upper-level entrance) of Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. Donations in Karen’s honor should be made to the Arkansas Respiratory Health Association in Little Rock, www.arkresp.org.