Karla Aaron Scholarship
The Karla Aaron Scholarship is provided through the Paul and Karla Aaron Endowment at Nelson University.
The scholarship is awarded to on-campus female students who hold a 3.5 GPA or higher, are from a rural area or small town, and intend to teach children in a Christian or non-religious context.
The purpose of the Karla Aaron Scholarship is to carry her legacy forward by inspiring students to lift up the name of Jesus through their calling and service to children.
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About Paul and Karla Aaron
Karla was born in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1961 and spent most of her life growing up in the small town of Porum, OK. Karla was Valedictorian of her High School class of ‘79 and was awarded the Oklahoma District Scholarship for outstanding youth.
Karla worked in Missionettes / Impact Girls and Rangers Kids all her life and became the North Texas District Coordinator for Rangers Kids. Karla loved children and led many children to the Lord through reading and memorizing Scripture.
Paul and Karla met at Nelson University in Savell Hall, where their rooms adjoined on the 2nd Floor. The guys figured out they could lift the ceiling tiles and talk to the girls next door. Paul had Karla type a larger paper, and when they met in the lobby to exchange the paper and a small fee, Paul said to Karla, “Maybe we can go out for a Coke one day.” The monitor behind the desk said, “Don’t count on it.” That upset Paul, so he courageously asked her to class night. Their first date was Class Night 1980. They fell deeply in love, married on May 22, 1981, and lived together for 40 years and 7 months, and had 2 boys.
In 2016, doctors diagnosed Karla with Stage 3B Metastatic Melanoma, but Paul and Karla held fast to the belief that God still healed. Karla was a fighter and often called the “energizer bunny.” Karla never lost the glow over her face. The cancer journey had many ups and downs; in 2021, her health began to fail, and she passed away on January 7, 2022. Karla loved life; even in her pain, she loved her family, friends, and everyone she met. Her life was complete when she crossed over into the arms of Jesus.
As long as the Lord tarries, Paul’s goal is to carry Karla’s legacy forward and to lift the name of Jesus through his music and ministry to children and young musicians.
*Assemblies of God Churches will receive World Missions Giving credit when giving to Nelson University.