Support for the families of Karen and Shelby

On the evening of Monday, June 29th, The Joebella community and their families were dealt a devastating blow. Karen and Shelby, along with two of their close friends, lost their lives when their vehicle lost control on Neal Spring Road in Templeton. This news changed an entire community of lives in a matter of moments. Many of us are still in a state of disbelief. 

Karen and Shelby worked at Joebella Coffee Roasters, and that’s where many people in our community first met them. For most, Karen and Shelby were the first friendly faces they saw on their way to work in the morning. They remembered your name, your drink order and always checked in to make sure your family and friends were doing okay. They were an integral part of many people’s daily lives and through their dedication to service and community, they helped create a loving environment where people were more important than product.  This was just a fraction of their lives, but even so, we will never be the same without them. 

We will remember Karen for her wholehearted acceptance of everyone she met. She didn’t have to look for the good in people, she saw it clearly. We will miss her softness, her big (almost too big) heart, her strength, her charisma, her free and fun loving nature, and her deep love for her family and friends. She loved her mother and sisters dearly. Karen came alive when she spoke about her family, and it made us feel like we were a part of her family, too. Karen embodies everything Joebella was meant to be and never fully was until she came into our lives - a space to experience the love of people and community.

We will remember Shelby for her fierceness - she was so fierce for such a little person. She was always joking, laughing or telling a story and was always ready for a good time. Shelby was engaging. She was self-aware and always had great, honest advice, even if you weren’t ready to hear it yet. She was unapologetically herself and we loved for it. Shelby left for Oregon over a year ago and only recently returned to work for us again. We didn’t get enough time with her but those joyful moments upon her return and that optimism we felt when she joined us again won’t be forgotten. 

This GoFundMe is to help support Karen and Shelby’s family during this terrible time. All funds collected will go to their families to be dispersed as they see fit.

To our beautiful, unforgettable friends - our Joebella family - we will miss you forever and always and we are so grateful to have known you. You changed our lives. We love you.

- The Joebella Crew