Karen Lynne Shaw Earnest, 73, of Fayetteville passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017. She was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on December 6, 1943 to Carl and Ruth Shaw. Karen and her husband Ralph graduated from Milligan College in Johnson City, TN. Karen was a dedicated and devoted teacher for the Clayton County (GA) School System for 32 years. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling with Ralph, while employed as a Flight Attendant with Delta Air Lines for eight years. Karen loved her husband, children, and grandchildren dearly, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ralph Earnest, Jr.; her children, Jodi Thompson and Chad (Meredith) Earnest, both of Fayetteville; her grandchildren, Connor Thompson and Callie Earnest; her brothers and sister, Max Shaw of Cincinnati, OH, Brian Shaw of Rogersville, TN; Neil Shaw of Lucban, Phillipines, and Anita Hudson of Dallas, TX; and several nieces and nephews.