Karen Elaine Backmeier

Backmeier, Karen, October 15, 1946- September 9, 2016 – Calhoun, GA (Flint) Karen Elaine Backmeier, age 69, formerly of Flint peacefully passed away on September 9, 2016 in Atlanta, GA after battling an extended illness. Karen born October 15, 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Phillip Tillman of Baxley, GA and Mattie Jean Lott of Graham, GA. Karen was one of five children. Karen lived many of her younger years in Florida until age 15, followed by a move to Flint, Michigan. She attended Bentley Senior High School, Class of 1964. Karen later married Daryl Meeks of Burton, MI and raised three children named Richard, Tammy and Sandra. She later married Bryon Backmeier and they had 1 son named Bryon Nicholas Backmeier. Karen was an incredible mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She loved her family and friends unconditionally. She was a devoted friend over fifty years to Kathy Quintanilla and Sonny Sventko. She touched the lives of many with her southern charm and love for animals, especially pit bulls and often stated "Dogs made better friends than most people". She often spoke of the beach and was a lover of Starfish and Seahorses. She will be greatly missed by those closest to her. Surviving family are: Son, Richard Daryl Meeks and significant other Vicenta Gatica, of Flint, MI, Daughter Tammy Marie Tippins of Calhoun, GA and Daughter, Sandra Lynn Banks and son-n law Randy of Swartz Creek, MI, and Son Nick Backmeier and daughter n- law Jessica of Clio, MI; grandchildren, Karen Ellison, Blake Leach, Kaylee Kelly, Trevor Meeks, Jillian Peterson, Michael and Joseph Tippins, and several step-grandchildren, also she had 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Phillip Tillman of Davison, MI and Richard Tillman of Myrtle Beach, SC., several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Sister Lynda Gail Tillman and Edward Lannie Tillman and parents Phillip and Mattie Jean. Karen desired to be cremated with a celebration of life to follow at a later date in Anna Maria Island, FL. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations are being collected on her GO Fund ME page (Karen's treatment fund) in order to carry out her final wishes.