Obituary for Karen Parker-Binns
Mill Spring, North Carolina – Karen Sue Parker-Binns, 75, peacefully passed at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, 2024, in her home at 7382 Hwy 108 east, Mill Spring, N.C.
Karen was born in Knox County Ohio to her parents James and Hazel Parker and spent her formative years in the Mount Vernon area. After attending Bowling Green University, her move to Fort Lauderdale Florida would eventually be the catalyst to lifelong adventure with her future husband Robert Binns. Their life together began at ‘Maggie Mae’s” of Fort Lauderdale FL. Karen met her soulmate as a waitress who fell in love with the owner of the establishment. From there on, her life began to take shape. Their adventures together spanned 46 years of owning and operating many businesses to include but not limited to “The Fairview Cafe” of Wildwood, N.J; “B.J. Binns Tropical Plants and Trees” of Fort Lauderdale F.L. and most recently, “Parker-Binns Vineyard” of Mill Spring, N.C. Her life was never consumed by work, no matter how disciplined and focused she was. In fact, her zest for life led them to 4 consecutive years of sailing the world together on their sailboat, literally leaving the rest of the world in their wake. Second only to business, her passions included LOTS of sun, walks on many beaches, art collection, music, gardening, sewing and world travel. Karen made it a priority to see the world with her Captain. Over the years, she spent countless time in small towns, states and countries around the world, while unknowingly leaving an everlasting impression on every person she met along the way.
“Leave a mark, dance like no one’s watching, and love hardest.” She said it, and lived it.
Karen is survived by her loving Husband, Robert J. Binns, Three daughters: Lulu, Kathy, and Kelly of Mill Spring NC; Two sons: Robert and John of Fort Lauderdale and Cape Coral FL; Four grandchildren: Ashley, Cory, Andrea, and Nathaniel, and three great grandchildren: Julien, Hunter, and Jonah. She is also survived by son-in-law William, granddaughter-in-law Alicia and grandson-in-law Pierce.
A visitation will be held on Monday, April 29th, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at McFarland’s Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC. The Family welcomes all to come visit Karen for the last time and celebrate her amazing life everyday forward.
Memorials may be made to:
Foothills Humane Society: PO Box 985, Columbus, NC 28722.
Southern Paws Animal Rescue: 742 Calhoun trail, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
American Brain Tumor Association: 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550 Chicago, IL 60631
Karen was born in Knox County Ohio to her parents James and Hazel Parker and spent her formative years in the Mount Vernon area. After attending Bowling Green University, her move to Fort Lauderdale Florida would eventually be the catalyst to lifelong adventure with her future husband Robert Binns. Their life together began at ‘Maggie Mae’s” of Fort Lauderdale FL. Karen met her soulmate as a waitress who fell in love with the owner of the establishment. From there on, her life began to take shape. Their adventures together spanned 46 years of owning and operating many businesses to include but not limited to “The Fairview Cafe” of Wildwood, N.J; “B.J. Binns Tropical Plants and Trees” of Fort Lauderdale F.L. and most recently, “Parker-Binns Vineyard” of Mill Spring, N.C. Her life was never consumed by work, no matter how disciplined and focused she was. In fact, her zest for life led them to 4 consecutive years of sailing the world together on their sailboat, literally leaving the rest of the world in their wake. Second only to business, her passions included LOTS of sun, walks on many beaches, art collection, music, gardening, sewing and world travel. Karen made it a priority to see the world with her Captain. Over the years, she spent countless time in small towns, states and countries around the world, while unknowingly leaving an everlasting impression on every person she met along the way.
“Leave a mark, dance like no one’s watching, and love hardest.” She said it, and lived it.
Karen is survived by her loving Husband, Robert J. Binns, Three daughters: Lulu, Kathy, and Kelly of Mill Spring NC; Two sons: Robert and John of Fort Lauderdale and Cape Coral FL; Four grandchildren: Ashley, Cory, Andrea, and Nathaniel, and three great grandchildren: Julien, Hunter, and Jonah. She is also survived by son-in-law William, granddaughter-in-law Alicia and grandson-in-law Pierce.
A visitation will be held on Monday, April 29th, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at McFarland’s Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC. The Family welcomes all to come visit Karen for the last time and celebrate her amazing life everyday forward.
Memorials may be made to:
Foothills Humane Society: PO Box 985, Columbus, NC 28722.
Southern Paws Animal Rescue: 742 Calhoun trail, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
American Brain Tumor Association: 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550 Chicago, IL 60631