Darryl and Lisa Southern of Vicksburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Karen Marie, to Shane Russell Merritt. Mr. Merritt is the son of Bill and Tammy Merritt of Vicksburg.

Miss Southern is the granddaughter of Crant and Cloie Southern and John and Jane Loboda, all of Vicksburg.

Mr. Merritt is the grandson of James and Shirley Miles of Vicksburg.

The bride-elect graduated in 2006 as salutatorian from Campus Preparatory School. She received her esthetician and nail tech license from the Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics, Nails and Cosmetology.

Miss Southern is a nail tech and esthetician at The Body Shop spa and salon.

The prospective groom is a graduate of Vicksburg High School.

Mr. Merritt is a pool operator at Ergon.

Vows will be exchanged at 2 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008, at First Methodist Protestant Church. A reception will follow. All relatives and friends are invited to attend.