Karen Jo Thomas

Karen Jo Thomas (often referred to as KT or Grammy K) of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on October 24, 2021. Karen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 11, 1951 to the late Joseph R. Toothman and Mary Joyce Goodrich. She grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia with her siblings and step-mother Patricia Ann Toothman. In 1985, she moved to Atlanta with her three daughters Johnna, MiMi, and Desiree. Karen was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a GOLDEN heart and it was filled with so much love. She was a strong and fierce woman. She fought and beat cancer multiple times over the past 16 years! She was generous, kind and loyal and always there to support her family and friends in times of need. She was a hard worker. She taught her children the values of hard work, generosity and the importance of good character. She enjoyed her family, good music, celebrating holidays, learning about religion, talking about current events, and finding the newest restaurant on Buford Highway to take her family and friends. She was beautiful both inside and out. Her grandchildren were the light of her life! When she was with them, they captured her undivided attention and she was devoted to their company and they loved her dearly. Before she fell ill, she never missed a family celebration and the chance to make the holidays special, with elaborate Easter baskets and stuffed Christmas stockings for her family! Karen enjoyed helping others. That was where she found her greatest joy! She was a valued human resources coordinator at Canterbury Engineering for more than a decade. It was there that she touched many hearts and lives both professionally and personally. Karen will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Along with her parents, Karen was proceeded in death by her sisters Cora Lynn Toothman, Mary Toothman Meza and Heidi Toothman. Karen is survived by her step-mother Patricia Ann Toothman, brother Joseph Richard Toothman, Jr. and sister Kimberly Ann Lopez; her children Johnna Lopez Goodmark, MiMi Lopez-Steele and Desiree’ Nicole Brooks; her grandchildren Miles Ryan Harris, Life Ellington Harris, River Naim Harris, Rhys Nouveau Steele, Ari Grace Goodmark, Cade Daniel Goodmark and greatgrandchildren Marley Ryan Harris and Zion Reign Harris. Donations may be made in her honor to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University in Atlanta. A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 2855 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. It will be followed by a reception and a “Celebration of Life”.