Karen Speaks Monk

Karen “Sug” Speaks-Monk was born at Polyclinic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, October 2, 1951. She received her formal education in the Harrisburg City School System and graduated from William Penn High School in 1970.

After high school, Karen began her career in the healthcare field at a plasma donation center. Outside of work, she could often be found at the shopping center or chatting with her girlfriends on the phone.

In 1976, Karen met the love of her life, Stanley “Kidd” Monk, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The two quickly became inseparable and began a love story that spanned more than 46 years, until the Lord called Kidd home in June of 2022. Together, Sug and Kidd—affectionately known by family and friends—loved traveling throughout the United States, dining at their favorite restaurants, and meeting new people. During their journeys, they built a home and life in Lake Worth, Florida, where they delighted in entertaining family and friends for holidays, special occasions, or simply because they loved to gather. These moments always gave Sug the perfect opportunity to showcase her cooking skills.

While living in Lake Worth, Sug dedicated over 12 years to caring for the elderly. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, cooking, interior decorating, and spending countless hours on the phone. Above all, she loved bossing everyone around, especially Kidd. Sug’s unforced fashion sense and straight no chaser demeanor has left a lasting imprint on every person she’s encountered. She will forever be remembered as Harrisburg’s Original Uptown Diva.

On March 19, 2019, with the guidance of her cousin and pastor, Rev. James Gamble, Karen made the life-changing decision to accept Christ into her heart. She publicly affirmed her faith through baptism, a heartfelt expression of her new walk with the Lord.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, at 73 years young, Karen peacefully transitioned from her earthly life to her eternal reward.

Karen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Stanley “Kidd” Monk; her parents, Harold W. Speaks and Dorothy M. Harris-Speaks; her brother, Charles W. Speaks, Jr.; and her sister, DeAnna Heath.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters: Patrice Smith, Sherre Speaks, and Oleta Alderman, all of Harrisburg, PA; her brothers: Brian Speaks (Estelle) of Pasadena, CA, Harold McKinney (Cynthia) of Harrisburg, PA, and Daryl McKinney (Gloria) of Arizona; her brother-in-law, Timothy Monk (Shirley) of New York; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Though gone from our sight, she will forever remain in our hearts and memories.

Lovingly Submitted by The Family

A Memorial Service will be held at Crawdaddy’s Restaurant, 1500 N 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 11am.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.