Dr. Karen Leigh Bryant: devoted single mother, daughter, sister, woman of faith, educator, veteran, community advocate and friend:   received her diagnosis in February ( Stage 4 Lung cancer) ; transitioned on April 30th, 2022,) 53-years-old, single parent who pursued her dreams , raised four beautiful , smart and talented children and used her gift of service to give back to the community.

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My beautiful sister, Karen was born in Chattanooga, TN, on August 4, 1968. She began her formal education in Chattanooga at Valley View Elementary School, where her mother was a teacher. She accepted Christ as her savior (Union Grove Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee) at a young age. She sang in the school choir there and continued to excel in her other classes. She graduated from Valley View in 1979. After her graduation, she entered Boyd Buchannan, a private school, for two years. Later, she spent her Junior High Years at Dalewood Middle School, where she was a cheerleader. Her senior years were spent at Brainerd High School, where she was a member of the band. After graduating from Brainerd, she attended Memphis State for a year. Then she entered the United States Air Force serving in Germany and Italy. She completed her college education while still in the Air Force, got married, and began to raise a family. After resettling in Nashville, TN, she earned a B.S in Education and a Master’s Degree in Education at Tennessee State University and Doctoral Degree in Education at Trevecca Nazarene University.

2011, Teacher of the Year for Ross Elementary School.

Karen served the community with a kind heart. She faithfully supported my Heart Collage and American Heart Assocation Heart Association Heart Walk Campaigns.

She went home to be with the Lord on April 30, 2022.

It was easy for Karen to talk with anyone about anything. She always loved to talk with her family and friends and help them with any problems that they were experiencing. Karen also liked to watch various English drama series and even got hooked on playing Animal Crossings on the Nintendo Switch her children bought her for her birthday. Karen was a strong, intelligent, caring person and was always willing to help anyone. She raised four children who have now turned into amazing grown adults. She was a terrific example of living and trusting in God, reminding her family of the importance of teamwork, and rolling with the punches in life gave way to creating strong, independent, and resilient children. She was a Superwoman with a capital S. Although she is with the Almighty God right now, she will always live on in our hearts, minds, and spirits.