Karen Faye Williams of Richmond entered into eternal rest on April 1, 2026. A native of West Point, Virginia, she was born on May 17, 1947.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Isaac Williams and Grace Cooke Williams, and sisters Nan Williams and Dawne Williams Estis.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Avril Williams; nephews Glen Williams (Shelley) and Kinnon Williams (Jessie); nieces Jill Dunn (Christopher), Kimberly Talley (Barry) and Veronica Bratton (Tim). Karen is also survived by great nieces and nephews Cassie (David), Lindsay (Matthew), Joey, Ashley, Alex, Marissa, Noah, Whitney, Austin, Melody, Chance, Jacob and Shepard; one great-great nephew Rowan Torres; longtime friend Tony Worthington; and chosen grandchild Amelie Wykes; many close friends and neighbors in the Wellesley and Short Pump communities; as well as her beloved fur babies Nigel and Callie Louise.
Karen was a member of the West Point High School class of 1965. After graduating from Johnston Willis School of Nursing, she spent the first part of her career in a clinical setting at Johnston Willis Hospital. Her interest in the business side of nursing led her to Blue Cross Blue Shield where she spent most of her career. During her long employment there, she was instrumental in developing new programs to support subscribers of the health plan. She also continued her education and received her Bachelors in Business at Mary Baldwin University during her time at BCBS. Never one to pass up a new opportunity, she ended her remarkable and unique nursing career at Johnson & Johnson as a drug representative.
Karen was classy, sassy, sporty and spicy in the best ways possible. As a devoted shopper of Nordstrom, Saks and many other fine stores, she enjoyed spoiling those that she loved. She was a marathon runner, tennis player, lover of all animals and rescued many over her lifetime. She was also an avid sports fan, especially of the UNC Chapel Hill Tarheels basketball and the Washington Redskins.
She was a charter member of the Westwood Club, and an avid fan, supporter and volunteer extraordinaire of the Wellesley Whitecaps swim team. Karen also served as a board member for the Foxfield at Wellesley Townhomes Homeowners Association, as well as being the unofficial mayor of the community.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 at Wellesley Community Center, 3605 Lauderdale Rd, Henrico, VA 23233.
in lieu of donations memorials may be made to the Wellesley Whitecaps, c/o Tracey Jameson, 3609 Whispering Wood Ct., Henrico, VA 23233 or Richmond SPCA.
