December 26, 1955 – February 12, 2023
Karen Anita Edmonds, 67, of Petersburg, VA, was called home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2023 after battling a long illness. She was born December 26, 1955, “a belated Christmas gift”, in Washington, DC to the late Laura Byus Moore and Otis Byus. At an early age, she gave her life to Christ and she was baptized in Gillfield Baptist Church. She found her final church home with Agape Christian Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Jeffrey Odom and Pastor Pamela Odom.
Karen graduated Petersburg High School Class of 1974. She was a member of the Petersburg High School Marching Band (PHSMB) where she played the flute and piccolo. She had a gift for teaching herself to play various instruments and music by ear. Also, Karen also was a majorette with the PHSMB. There were many times she would practice twirling the baton in the backyard with flames on the ends. Music was an integral part of her life from high school into adulthood. In her early adulthood, she was in several couple’s dance competitions during the Disco Era.
She was a member of the Sam Lewis Mission Community Choir and Bert Boisseau & the Unity Gospel Ensemble. Karen sang alto in both choirs and it brought great enjoyment to her heart. Her love for music and praising God extended into her church life as a choir director for the children’s and men’s choirs.
She brought her love and experience to working with her youngest daughter, Kimberly, in voice coaching and critical inputs on her musical projects and CD. If you did not see Karen singing, she was also an avid bowler and engaged in several bowling tournaments.
Karen was an ordained minister and she also served her country as an U. S. Army Veteran.
Karen leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Leslie P. Chambliss of Petersburg, VA, Candace A. Chambliss of Washington, DC and Kimberly N. Edmonds-Best of Chester, VA; grandchildren, Kanigel A. P. Chambliss (deceased), Deontae Chambliss, Phyllicia Chambliss, Ashari Chambliss, Conner J. G. Barnes, Caleb B. L. Barnes, Zakaysia T. Fitzgerald, Tyrell Chambliss, Tayvani Chambliss and Leanora Chambliss; great-grandchildren, Syn’Cere K. Chambliss-Cooke, MiLiana X. Archer and Liam M. Fleshman; siblings, Diane P. Moore of Petersburg, VA, Stephen G. Moore (Nikita) of Chesterfield, VA, Jonathan D. Byus of Maryland and Paul G. Byus (Tahirah Hope) of Maryland; nieces and nephews, Christopher A. Moore of Chesterfield, VA, Arianna Moore of South Carolina and Jordan Moore of Chesterfield, VA and Quentin Byus, Korriane Byus, and Zane Byus all of Maryland; and a host of many loving cousins and close friends.
Family, friends, music, and her church family were cornerstones to Karen’s passion and joy. She grew up surrounded with the importance of family and faith. Karen, affectionately known as “Kern” to close family members, had a way of keeping in touch and connecting with family and friends through issuing challenges with various digital games. It was one of her ways that brought competition and connection among family and friends. She was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, and she could have possibly qualified as one of their spokesperson.
The family wishes to thank all of those who have been supportive and have given powerful prayers during this difficult time. “God is good all of the time”.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Apostle Mary Bonner, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.