Click the link below to view the Homegoing Program for the Late Karen Barnes Johnson.
Karen B. Johnson Program

It is with loving remembrance, we announce the passing of Mrs. Karen Barnes Johnson , 68, of Crawfordville, Florida, who peacefully departed this life on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Homegoing services for Mrs. Karen B. Johnson will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026, at East Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1642 Oak Ridge Road East, Tallahassee, FL 32305, with the interment concluding in Mt. Olive AME Church Cemetery, 6641 Lake Road, Monticello, FL 32344.

At the request of the family, there will be no public visitation.

Karen Barnes Johnson was born on July 29, 1957, and peacefully transitioned on January 5, 2026. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and a woman of faith whose life reflected service, love, and an unwavering commitment to her family, friends, and community.

Karen accepted Christ at the age of 12, beginning a lifelong walk of faith. She attended James S. Rickards High School, Class of 1975, and later attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).

She was a devoted member and faithful Usher of East Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Woodville, Florida, where she served diligently and welcomed all with grace and humility.

Karen retired in 2014 after 36 years of dedicated service with the Florida Department of Education, where she served as a Program Specialist IV.

She was united in holy matrimony to Matthew Johnson, with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. From this union came three daughters: Kara (Lemar) Williams, Karla (Kelvin) Harris, and Kieara Johnson. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Marcus Williams and Karlee Harris.

Karen's favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Barnes and Bertha Barnes; her brother, Andre Barnes; and her sister, Kiwanis Barnes.

She is survived by her loving husband: Matthew Johnson; three daughters; two grandchildren; her brother: Alpha (Sherry) Barnes Sr., and her sister: Benita Smith; nieces: Antonia Barnes and Alexis Smith; nephews: J-Shun Harris, Alpha Barnes Jr., Alexander Barnes, Abraham Barnes, and Kendall Smith; great-nephews: J-Shun (Lea Kohne) Harris II, and Micah Jones; great-nieces: Jourdan Harris and Syriah Smith; great-great-nephews: J-Shun Harris III and Isaiah Harris; her goddaughters: Tanza Thompson and Karen Denise Hills; her cherished supportive adoptive family: Betty Glenn, Catherine Horne, and Annie Lynn and Mary Still, and a host of loving relatives and friends.

It is our profound honor to have been entrusted with the care of Mrs. Johnson and to serve the Johnson Family.