Karen Washington

Avera, GA  – Karen Renee Callaway Washington, 49, loving wife of 31 years to Richard Thomas “Ricky” Washington, entered into rest Thursday evening, July 25, 2013, at her residence.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Lamb officiating.  Interment will follow in church cemetery.

One of two daughters born to Russell Levi Callaway and the late Agnes Hadden Callaway, Karen spent her early years in Augusta, grew up in Avera, attended school in Wrens and graduated from Gibson High School.  She was a homemaker and drove a truck for Howard Sheppard. From a young age, Karen loved to travel and go camping—she especially loved going to the mountains and the beach, and going on cruises. Being inquisitive and detail oriented, she enjoyed watching the ID channel for the “investigative thrill”.  Another passion was shopping.  Karen always stayed active, always doing something with never a dull moment—she lived life large.  She was an animal lover and had a passion for all animals—tigers, bears, monkeys—but especially her cats and her boxer bulldog, Buster, who took “front seat” over all others. Karen loved her family with all her heart; even though death has left a void that no one can heal, her love has left us memories no one can steal.

Other survivors include her son, Rusty T. Washington; sister, Kathy Moore; two grandchildren, Allee Blair Washington and Rustin Thomas Washington; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.  Pallbearers will be Colin Benkoski, Troy Bridges, Jacky Coxwell, Michael Powell, Dustin Price and Chuck Walden.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home Monday evening, July 29, 2013 from 6:00-8:00PM.

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Legacy of Love

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.
You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength, you gave us might.
A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart, you were always kind.
You fought for us all in one way or another,
Not just as a wife, not just as a mother.
For all of us you gave your best.
Now the time has come for you to rest.
So, go in peace—you’ve earned your sleep.
Your love in our hearts, we’ll eternally keep.

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