Karen Hunter

Karen Parms Hunter was ushered into her eternal home to meet her Lord and Savior and rejoin loved ones on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Born on Friday, May 3, 1946, in Akron, Ohio, to Johnson and Ophelia Parms, Karen was the fifth of eight children. Always a kindhearted friend to all, Karen matriculated through Akron Public Schools, graduating from Central High.

Shortly after graduation, Karen became a telephone operator for Ohio Bell at just 19 years old. In the years that followed, she became an operator services supervisor, held several technician positions and was promoted to three management positions, retiring in 2015 from AT&T with 49 years of service. Fifteen of those years were in her last position as Senior Project Manager, in which she was responsible for overseeing large data network installations for clients such as Royal Caribbean, Sears, Nike, DuPont and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Anyone who knew Karen knows that her faith and relationship with God and worshipping Him were of utmost importance to her. A member of Second Baptist Church, Akron, Ohio, in her early years, Karen became a very active member of First Apostolic Faith Church in her early 20's until 1984 when she moved her family to Atlanta, Georgia. She always maintained church memberships, with her final church home being Freedom House Church International, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Although her interests were many, Karen's favorite things were spending time with her grandchildren; entertaining a house brimming with family for holidays and special occasions; participating in or leading Bible studies; travelling extensively, oftentimes to points throughout the Caribbean; and playing tennis with proficient skill.

Karen's gift was being a friend. She loved to laugh, put people at ease and make them feel special. She always was willing to help, listen, give and share words of wisdom and encouragement. One of her favorite ways to give back and give thanks for her blessings was by faithfully volunteering at a community food bank.

Looking forward to reuniting with Karen again someday are her beloved children, Kimberly Anne Hunter of Stonecrest, Georgia, and Aaron Hunter II (Kieva) of Ellenwood, Georgia; her adored grandchildren, Erin Hunter Lyons (Lekevius), Aaron Hunter III and Giselle Hunter; her surviving siblings, Attorney Edwin Parms of Overland Park, Kansas, Bonnie Parms, Marie Parms and Attorney Rebecca Parms, all of Akron, Ohio, and John Parms of Columbus, Ohio; seven special nieces, Stephanie Hodoh (Karl), Deborah Burns (Carney), Pamela White (Michael), Carmen Parms Riggins,  Stacey Parms, April Parms Jones, Sydney Parms and Adrienne Parms, and all of their children;   sister-in-law Marthann Parms (Bruce); cousin Cynthia Rice of Columbus, Ohio and a host of dear family and friends. 

Karen's passing was preceded by those of her parents, Johnson and Ophelia, and two brothers, Bruce Parms and Paul Parms.

We all will miss Karen's kind heart, beautiful smile and warm laugh very much, but we believe that this is not a final "Goodbye." It is simply a "See you later" for "To be absent from the body is to be present with God" in Heaven (II Corinthians 5:8), and Heaven has been prepared for those who believe, love and trust God (John 3:16).

Thank you for honoring Karen and our family by attending in person or for any other gesture of love you have shared with us. 

The services are managed by Divine Mortuary, Lithonia, Georgia. Interment will occur at Lawnwood Memorial Park, Covington, Georgia. Repast will be at the home of Aaron and Kieva Hunter, Ellenwood, Georgia. 

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