Karen Malone Wolfe

Karen Sue Malone Wolfe, 79, of the Brookhaven Community, Morgantown, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the Sundale Nursing Home. She was born November 2, 1940, the only child of Walter and Margaret Malone.

Karen was born and raised in Opekiska, WV and attended Morgantown High School.

She was one of the original Morgantown High Mohiganettes. Karen retired from the Department of Energy as a technical writer and administrative assistant.

Karen operated a total of five dance studios, which were located in Oakland, Maryland, Grafton, Elkins, Kingwood, and Morgantown. She traveled to New York on many occasions, where she learned from the best, then returned to West Virginia to teach her students superior technique. Always training, always growing, she was a forward thinker, and her students reaped the rewards of her unquenchable desire to learn more.

Karen was passionate about dance, talent, and pageants. She was the owner/operator of Crown International Talent & KMW Modeling Agency. She had a gift of seeing and bringing out the best in young ladies. Karen was not only a teacher of dance and modeling, but also one of proper manners and behavior—which she exhibited herself, and expected from her students at all times.

Karen was also a franchise owner of the Miss America Scholarship Organization. Titles she awarded over the years were Miss Morgantown, Miss Mon-Valley, and Miss University City. She worked tirelessly to raise money and recruit new talent. Through her efforts, scores of young women would embrace the four points of the Miss America crown; style, scholarship, success, and service.

Karen molded young women to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and implement opportunities for higher education. Because of her dedication to the Miss America Scholarship Organization, dozens of young women won thousands of dollars in college scholarships at the local, state, and national levels. Three of her local winners went on to win the title of Miss West Virginia and walk the prestigious Miss America runway in Atlantic City, NJ.

Karen leaves a legacy of kindness, elegance, and grace. Her love and passion for dance, talent, and pageantry will live on in the lives of her students. Her sweet personality and contagious laugh will be missed by so many.

Karen is survived by her husband of 58 years, Leonard C. Wolfe; her daughter, Patrice Bullister, both of Morgantown and her Aunt Alberta Neely of Westover and Aunt Lula Mae Shaffer of Morgantown. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and her two dogs Miley and Nicki and her cat Babe, who was always on her lap.

She was preceded in death by her father and stepmother Walter and Betty Malone and her mother and stepfather, Margaret and Jack Hale.

Honoring Karen’s wishes cremation was arranged by the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home. Karen’s life will be celebrated with a memorial gathering at a later date. Please encourage the family by sharing photos, and memories of how Karen touched your life.

Honoring Karen’s love of animals, please consider a donation to Animal Friends of North Central WV, PO Box 1090 Dellslow, WV 26531.