Karen Teresa Johnson

Full Life * Full Circle Karen Teresa Johnson Karen Teresa Johnson was born on April 26, 1961 to William T. Johnson and Mary L. Johnson in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this world suddenly on May 27, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Karen’s love for her family ran deep.She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and aunt who did so much for her family throughout her life. She will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who broke through many barriers among them she paved the way for women to succeed in the construction trades. Karen attended both Baltimore county and city schools. She graduated from Baltimore’s Carver Vocational Technical High School, and in June 1979 was the first Black female graduate of its Carpentry Program. Upon graduation, Karen completed her apprenticeship skills training and began her career as a union carpenter at major construction sites across the United States. Notable projects she was proud to help construct include: Baltimore Metro Subway, Fort McHenry Tunnel, Mighty Ducks Stadium, the renovation of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Airport. Karen was the first Black female foreman in the state of Maryland. She retired in 1997, and in her 18-year career, she was a member of Local 101 Mid Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, Local Union No. 803 Southwest Carpenters Administration Corporation, and Carpenters Local Union No. 22 San Francisco. In 1998, Karen and her then partner, Ronald E. Hamilton, were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Moon A. Hamilton. Karen was a great and loving mother. Prior to Moon’s birth, Karen stepped into the role of mother to her niece and goddaughter Carniesha (“Carnie”) and raised her from age 12 until she completed college. Karen’s love and guidance enabled Carnie to become the first female in their family to graduate from college. Most recently, Karen was blessed to see her daughter Moon graduate Magna Cum Laude from Young Harris College. Karen was affectionately known by her mother, family, and friends as “the woman who knows how to raise girls.” In addition to her love for her family, Karen also loved art, cooking, decorating, gardening, music, nature, and her pets (especially her cats). She loved all types of seafood, especially Maryland blue crabs. Classic movies and cartoons also held special places in Karen’s heart and imagination. She was proud of her eclectic spirit and encouraged others to keep their hearts and minds open to the world. Karen enjoyed rock music and attending live concerts with her daughter. She was a free spirit who proudly displayed her tattoos, loved riding motorcycles, and “headbanged” to heavy metal music. Karen began playing the violin in her teen years, and she also loved jazz, classical, and other genres. Karen was most compassionate and cared about others. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, at children’s hospitals, and at senior centers. Karen was committed to civic and political engagement. Conversations with her about the state of politics will truly be missed. Karen is survived by her daughter Moon Hamilton, stepfather Luther Johnson, stepmother Paula Hackett, aunts Martha Johnson and Mozelle Johnson, brother Broderick Johnson Sr. (Michele), sister Vonda Fenwick (Thomas), nephews Carlos Fenwick, Broderick “Broddy” Johnson (Stephanie), and Norris Johnson, nieces Carniesha Kwashie (Tetteh), Aja Johnson, step-niece Burgundie Fulton (Ishmel), great-niece Yaa- Fobi Kwashie, step-great niece Sirahn Fulton, stepbrothers Kevin Johnson (Cathy) and Rufus Hackett (Thomasina), and a host of other family and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents William and Mary Johnson and step-brother Mirum Johnson. Karen loved nature and named her daughter after Half Moon Bay, a beautiful bay located in Northern California. In honor of her wishes, the family will spread her ashes across the bay for her 60th birthday in April 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in her memory. Karen had looked forward to visiting the EJI Legacy Museum one day, which had opened on her birthday in 2018. Please go to: https://support.eji.org/give/153413/#!/donation/checkout to donate.