Karen Braden loves coffee and the Magic Kingdom but not as much as she loves her hometown of Brookhaven.

Braden, the wife of Dr. David Braden, was born in Brookhaven. The couple has been married for 36 years — they met at a Bible study taught by Steve Mills.

Karen was born in Brookhaven, but moved around some before landing back home years ago. The Bradens live on South Jackson Street.

She has four children — Katy is the oldest at 35, Marley is 33, Blasie is 29, and Ansley is 25. She also has four grandchildren who keep her busy. Her favorite activities are reading and playing with the little ones. She is a member of the Climbers Club, a garden club and helps the women’s ministry at Faith Presbyterian.

The 59-year-old’s favorite foods are watermelon and warm cinnamon bread.

Something very few people know about Karen is she was a tour guide at Disney World throughout her college years.

“At the time we lived in Florida, Disney World was only about 45 minutes away. And all around it was just a really fun job,” she said.

One of her family’s interesting traditions is rather new. Every Easter she gives her grandchildren wooden painted eggs.

“I just saw them and thought it was so cute. I also wanted to get something special and unique,” she said. She will have those eggs ready this weekend.

Braden said she could live without a lot of things, but coffee isn’t one of them. She takes her coffee black.

If she could go anywhere in the world, Braden said she would go to France. And that’s just what she is doing for her 60th birthday.

If Braden could have a superpower she’d want to be able to heal people.

“I guess since my husband is a doctor my heart goes out to helping people also,” she said.

Story by Sarah Elizabeth Balkcom