Karen Reynolds Sherrod Carver died September 13, 2026 at Methodist Medical Center.  Born May 14, 1934 in Winchester, Indiana (and moving to Chattanooga, TN before age 6 months), Karen came to Oak Ridge with her parents and brother in 1943 moving into a "D" cemesto house on Ulysses Lane.  After living in a TVA trailer at Douglas Dam her brother, Jon "Mickey" Reynolds, thought a bedroom closet was a room.  Karen attended Pine Valley Elementary School, Jefferson Jr. High School (now Robertsville Middle School), and graduated from the first class to attend the "new" Oak Ridge High School in 1952. She attended Miami University in Oxford, OH and the University of Chattanooga (now University of TN Chattanooga) where she pledged Pi Beta Phi sorority and was honored to be the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.  After graduating from Coronet Academy of Modeling in Miami, FL, Karen returned to Oak Ridge working as a dental assistant until reaching the age of qualification to become a stewardess for Delta Airlines in 1955.  In 1957 upon her marriage to Joseph D. Sherrod she had to resign from Delta according to their regulations at that time.  

From 1957 Karen's employment experiences included working as a copywriter for WATO radio station in Oak Ridge; secretary to Peter Cohan in Oak Ridge Schools Administration; as a Publications Assistant, tour guide and writer for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in-house newspaper; Regional Purchasing Agent and Executive Administrative Assistant for NUS- Brown and Root Environmental (Haliburton) in Oak Ridge from 1988 until her retirement in 1996 she also was a past co-owner of the original Clinton Antiques Mall and owner of K's Antiques and Collectibles in Oak Ridge.  

Over the years Karen was active in many civic and social organizations, which included Board member of the YWCA; member of the Chamber of Commerce; Girl Scout Leader; Cub Scout den mother; member of the Linden PTA and homeroom mother; President of the Oak Ridge Jaycees, Regional Vice President and board member of the State Jaycees; member and Social Chairman of Oak Ridge Country Club; member of the '43 Club.  Karen was appointed to a four year term by Governor Winfield Dunn as a State Commissioner to the Tennessee Human Development Commission in Nashville, and was active in local, state and national politics.  

Karen was an avid reader and her other interests included traveling, golfing, bowling, building miniature dollhouses and furnishings, decorating, gardening, and researching ancestry - which she undertook for over ten years for both her family and her husband's family often with surprising results.  

In November 2002 while attending her 50th high school reunion, Karen became reacquainted with former classmate John R. Carver, marrying in 2003.  As Karen later claimed, "to the love of my life."

Karen is preceded in death by her husband, John Robert Carver; Brother, Jon Michael Reynolds; parents, William Moore Reynolds and Doris Hartley Reynolds; Grandparents, John and Bessie Hartley; Aunts, Mabel Hartley Wilson and Laura Dell (Pop) Reynolds Coppinger; Uncle, Rear Admiral Richard Zinc Reynolds (Mary); and Grandson, Joshua Sherrod.

Karen is survived by her children, Ashley Brooke Sherrod Swisher, William Brett Sherrod (Karen), and Joseph Scott Sherrod (Tammy); Granddaughter, Tessa Sherrod; Grandsons, Tommy and Lee McNabb, Matthew and Tyler Sherrod; Nephew, Nicholas Reynolds; Sister-in-law, Sandra Sherron Springfield (Carlos); Cousins, Sandra Gartley Hinchey and Kay Baughman; Special friends, Janis and Jim Pratt, Jackie Searcy, Janie Santoro, Dr. Adam Battles and friends at Family Clinic of Oak Ridge.  

Per the request of Mrs. Carver, following cremation, there will be no memorial or funeral services.  Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is honored to serve the Carver family.