Karen Margaret Hamilton

Karen Margaret Hamilton, age 66, of Abingdon, Va, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, and wonderful friend to many.

Though Karen’s life was cut short, she lived it fully and with intention. She was a passionate educator, teaching in various formats for over 40 years, primarily in Elementary and Special Education. She was an avid gardener, who regularly preserved the fruits of her labor - often hand delivering jars of homemade jam, tomato sauce, or spicy pickled peppers to those she loved. Karen adored entertaining and cooking for her friends and family. She loved an evening spent playing cards, reading a novel, or watching a good British mystery. She loved a good shopping spree and a fancy cocktail. She took celebrating Christmas to the next level. Her smile lit up every room she walked into, and her laugh was contagious. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Jessee Ernest Hamilton and Helen Alice (Reedy) Hamilton; brother Carl Hamilton; sister Janet McKinney; and brother-in-law William "Bill" Hoke.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Wright and husband Brian Wright of Berwyn, IL; her son, Jonathan Brown and wife Glynn Brown of Chicago, IL; two sisters, Evelyn Hamilton Hoke, and Deborah Hamilton Saltz and husband Richard Saltz; three brothers, Larry Hamilton and wife Libby Hamilton, Mark Hamilton, and Chad Hamilton all of Abingdon, Va and the Washington County area; grandson, Casper Hamilton Brown; and partner Greg Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00pm at the funeral home prior to the service. 

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Karen’s name to Special Olympics International: https://www.specialolympics.org/ , or to the American Stroke Association: https://www.stroke.org/en/.

The family of Karen Margaret Hamilton is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.