Rest in peace Karen, you will be missed.
We loved you.
Obituary: Amos, social worker turned lawyer, 'felt she could make a difference'
By Amy Dorsett: adorsett@express-news.net
A young widow suddenly thrust into single parenthood, Karen Amos didn't allow her life to follow a more conventional arc.
Instead, spurred by experiences as a social worker at a state hospital, Amos chose to enroll in law school — a move that meant she and her daughters would move to San Antonio, far from the support network of their East Texas home.
Amos, who worked in the Bexar County court system as both prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for about 25 years, died Sunday of natural causes. She was 54.
“She developed an empathy for people and she felt she could make a difference,” said Amos' sister, Sue Giaccone. “I was always kind of amazed by what she did. She moved to San Antonio, far away from her family, a single mother with two very young girls, in law school.”
Giaccone said Amos found prosecuting more fulfilling.
“She was very good at it. She felt more comfortable in that role,” Giaccone said. “She always wanted to help the underdog. She was very compassionate and caring.”
“She was very good at it. She felt more comfortable in that role,” Giaccone said. “She always wanted to help the underdog. She was very compassionate and caring.”
Amos worked in several Texas counties, but the majority of her time was spent in San Antonio.
Defense attorney Therese Huntzinger, a longtime friend, said it might have been easy for other attorneys to underestimate Amos, who didn't walk around with a swagger.
Defense attorney Therese Huntzinger, a longtime friend, said it might have been easy for other attorneys to underestimate Amos, who didn't walk around with a swagger.
“A lot of us feel like we have to wear pinstripe suits. Karen didn't do that, she didn't need to talk the big talk. She could present herself as she was and she could pull it off,” Huntzinger said. “She had her own kind of style that she'd bring into the courtroom. At first glance, someone going up against her might not know what they were dealing with. But she would blow everyone away with her trial skills.”
Huntzinger said Amos was also known for her sharp intelligence.
“She had a natural talent, she was brilliant,” Huntzinger said. “She came from a place that had victims at heart and a strong sense of right and wrong.”
“She had a natural talent, she was brilliant,” Huntzinger said. “She came from a place that had victims at heart and a strong sense of right and wrong.”
Amos left town several years ago to be closer to the family members she left so many years ago.
Her health failing, and in hospice care, Amos died at her brother's home, her family nearby.
Her health failing, and in hospice care, Amos died at her brother's home, her family nearby.
