Karen

Karen is the ex wife of Dr. Larry Mayes and the mother of firefighter/paramedic Craig Mayes. Her father, Eghbert Collins, was a senator. She grew up as a rich girl who was taught that ambitions and wealth are everything. She looks down on anyone who isn't wealthy or powerful. She and her ex husband are fairly estranged, but civil when they have to interact. Her only child with Larry Mayes is a son named Craig. Craig is a firefighter/paramedic, which Karen thinks is a waste of his potential. When Larry was deployed to Japan, she moved there, briefly, but her racist tendencies got in the way and she moved home, divorcing him when Craig was 11 years old. For a while Craig lived with her for most of the year and spent his summers with his dad. Karen is remarried to a Navy Admiral, Nelson Adelsworth. He has three kids from his prior marriage. They have no children together. Karen is a country club member and enjoys the luxury lifestyle that comes with being married to a retired Navy admiral. She is gossipy, holier than thou, and more worried about appearances than anything.

Then, her grandson Gabriel Michael Mayes was born. After she made a nasty remark and was almost kicked out of the labor ward, she realized that being nasty was not helpful. She realizes that family is more important than riches or appearances. She begins to soften and becomes a loving grandma to Cecelia Grace Mayes and Gabriel Michael Mayes. She also reconnects with her son, Craig, and his wife, Katie. She even began asking questions and deeply respecting Craig's work as a firefighter/paramedic and Katie's as a deputy sheriff.