Karen Susan Bartee-Ellis, aged 66, residing in Virginia Beach passed away peacefully in her home on February 22, 2024, after living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for over four years.
She was born on September 9, 1957 in Norfolk, VA and attended Granby High School. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Ruth Nichols, and her two brothers Frank and William (Billy) Nichols.
She had her daughter, Jennifer, with the first love of her life, George Richard Walton and her son, Lucas, with the second love of her life, Barry Bartee. At the age of 37 she met the true love of her life, Tony Ellis, with whom she traveled the world and built their dream home in Croatan Beach, in Virginia Beach, VA. Tony performed flawlessly as a caretaker and was by her side every day and night.
After raising her children, she embarked on a career in real estate that took her to a top level performer for Prudential and Re/Max. She garnered many accolades in her real estate career, ultimately achieving platinum status with Hampton Roads Realtors Association. Beyond her real estate career she and Tony built a successful home remodeling business, Bayshore Home Solutions. Karen truly had a very generous spirit and a gift to help others reach their full potential in business and in all aspects of their lives.
She is survived by her husband Tony Ellis, her two grateful children Jennifer (Marc) and Luke (Laura), four amazing grandchildren Jack, Sophie, Maddie and Ryder, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Nina Balanchivadze of Virginia Oncology Associates, Dr. Carey Anders of Duke Cancer Center, the teams at Trinity Hospice, and Changing Tides Home Care as well as our beloved RayRay for her unwavering compassion, love and support.
Please join us on Saturday, March 2 at 1 p.m. for a celebration of life service at Altmeyer Funeral Home (1801 Baltic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451).
In lieu of flowers, donations to METAvivor would be appreciated.
