Karen Lynne Wells Barnett

Karen Lynne Wells Barnett

Karen Lynne Wells Barnett, 74, of Powder Springs, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2024, with her loving husband by her side. 

Karen was born April 21, 1950, in Decatur, Alabama to her parents Clera Maner Wells and Elmer McRee Wells. Karen was the eldest child in the family, followed by Myra Wells (Pearell), Melanie Wells (Fiacchino), and Robyn Wells (Martins). While the children were young, the family moved and traveled around the country following new work opportunities for Elmer until planting roots in Chesterton, Indiana. Elmer and Clera raised their children with the values of faith, family, and hard work. Karen often helped at home with her siblings while her parents were away at work, but when the work was done the family would spend many hours singing hymns and gospel music together at home, at church functions, and at family gatherings. This upbringing profoundly influenced Karen’s life, providing a solid foundation in her faith in God, care for others, and development of her love of music.

When it was time for Karen to embark upon her independent life, she left her parents’ home in Chesterton, Indiana, and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend Tennessee Temple College. There, she engaged in social work and even briefly worked at the Little Debbie Factory. While at school, Karen was introduced to a young man from Virginia, who was attending the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Donald Wayne Barnett made a lasting impression on Karen after this introduction, and the two knew they had to plan time to meet again. Don made it a mission to see Karen again, and after a short courtship they knew they could not be without one another. After a trip to meet their parents, it was evident by both families that Don and Karen were ready to be wed. Wasting no time- Don asked Karen to be his bride on their trip back home and they were soon married on January 13, 1973. 

Don and Karen were eager to start their new life together and decided to settle in Marietta, Georgia. Don worked in construction and later for a building supply company, while Karen held various jobs. Soon, they began planning to expand their family, and on December 27, 1974, they welcomed a baby girl, Karen Lizabeth Barnett. From that point on, Karen dedicated herself to being a mother and homemaker.

Don and Karen decided there were opportunities in Virginia they should pursue, so the family of three moved to Virgina to explore what could be. Ultimately, Virginia was not a good fit for their small family, and after further contemplation and new opportunities presenting themselves, the family of three found themselves moving back to Atlanta. Don reconnected with his previous company in Atlanta, and the family settled in Cobb County, Georgia. Soon after moving back to Georgia, Don and Karen welcomed their new baby boy, Kenneth McRee Barnett, born on June 14, 1978. 

Family was very important to Karen, and she was the connecting thread within the family. She would host family events in the home, making sure everyone had a nice warm place to be with full bellies for family events, holidays, or maybe even just a visit. Don and Karen built a home for her parents close by so that her parents could be near in their elderly years, where she cared for both her father and mother until their passing. She made sure that she developed her children to be productive members of society, instilling values and shining a light on their talents so that they could find success and happiness in life. She made sure her children were upholding to her and Don’s teachings by checking-in with people that the children came into contact with – ensuring them that if her children were not behaving, she would “straighten them out”. Later, she would even lend tips to her son’s wife, Alicia Barnett, on how to deal with her son Kenneth, and make sure he took every opportunity to spoil her like his dad did for his mother.

Don and Karen worked hard together to build their lives and build their family. When it was time to build their forever home, they purchased a plot of land in Powder Springs, Georgia that was previously part of a dairy farm. This was a dream come true, but it also meant they were going to need to employ the hard work and know-how both of them were more than willing and able to provide in order to get their dream home off the ground. Don would line up the trade contractors, supplies, and materials while Karen would be the Superintendent on the project during the week. With a telephone mounted to a tree and phone numbers in hand, Karen ran a jobsite like a seasoned professional, simultaneously caring for two young children. In the fall of 1981, the house was complete, and the family moved into what would be the epitome of a family home. 

Don and Karen’s foundation in their faith started from the beginning and was evident in their daily lives and in the way they conducted the household. After sampling different churches close to their new home, they found themselves drawn to Midway Presbyterian Church. At Midway, the two built many lasting relationships and strengthened their walk with God. Karen found ways to be a part of many other people’s lives by caring for those in need, employing her talents as a fantastic cook, being a part of multiple committees, and even providing floral decorations - all to the glory of God. 

Music was always a significant part of Karen’s life, and she cultivated her talents in music by playing various instruments and always found a reason to make a joyful noise. This included a wide variety of music, be it anywhere from an old gospel hymn to country music, or even rock-n-roll. She always had a tune or hymn she would sing or hum while doing other tasks. As children, Lizabeth and Kenneth would often find themselves working at home with their mother – always with some kind of music in the background with Karen singing right along. Karen found a musical home at church and quickly became part of the church choir. In addition to singing in the choir, Karen also sang in smaller groups for special music features at church. Family get-togethers always involved time around a piano, singing the songs of her and her sister’s childhood, with Karen often starting off these singing sessions with “The Wings of a Dove”. Karen brought the world of music to her children through this, which specifically had a distinct impact on her daughter who developed these generational talents into a career.

Karen’s talents did not stop at her musical gifts; she enjoyed sewing, cooking, and gardening. Karen’s aptitude for sewing was born mostly out of necessity, but she developed this skill into a great talent. She could see a picture of something and think “I can make that” ...and she would! She made special articles of clothing for the whole family, decorations, accessories, and often adorned the furniture Don made with her creations. Karen always enjoyed cooking great meals for her family, and often other families or people that were in need. Her bookshelves were filled with recipes from generations before her and she wore it as a badge of honor that she provided these wonderful meals. The palettes of her husband and son were not as adventurous as she would like at times, which sometimes dampened her excitement to try new dishes, but those new creations were created out of love, which made them delicious. 

Karen’s green thumb was known far and wide. She spent a lot of time beautifying the home with floral arrangements grown around the house, she tended a full garden that provided food, and she canned and preserved the vegetables and fruit to ensure that garden would continue to provide for years to come. After the children left home to pursue their own adventures, the need for a full garden waned and the focus on flowers became more intent. This developed into not only providing flowers for the home and church, but also into weddings and other functions. Karen grew this into a business, where she put a great deal of love and thought into each creation for her clients. She took opportunities to teach anyone interested in making floral arrangements, so they could also see the same beauty she saw in each bunch of flowers. Her love of flowers and tending to these flowers was a reflection of what she loved in life – creating something beautiful with God’s help, tending to it, and make it into something that would delight other people.

Karen Barnett was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Karen truly embodied the term of what it meant to be a Proverbs 31 Woman. Karen was a confident, capable, Godly woman, who lived life knowing where her treasures are held. Karen will be deeply missed but forever remembered in our hearts.

Karen Lynne Wells Barnett passed to be with her Lord and Savior on December 13, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Clera Wells. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Donald Wayne Barnett; their children Karen Lizabeth Barnett, Kenneth McRee Barnett, (Alicia Gable Barnett); their grandchildren Caroline Grace Barnett, Georgia Laurel Barnett, and Chloe Collister. 

The family would like to thank all who cared for Karen over the last years, particularly Dawn Whiter, Sandy Burton, and the Wellstar Hospice Team.

 The family would be honored by your presence in celebrating the life of Karen Barnett. Visitation is planned for Sunday, December 22nd at 1:00 pm, and the memorial service following directly at 2:00 pm, both at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory (2480 Macland Rd, Marietta, GA 30064).