Born February 9, 1938 in Farmington to Kenneth G. and Hazel M. (Jefford) Johnson, she married the love of her life, Randolph Duane “Randy” Tharp on November 18, 1955 at Glasford Baptist Church. He went to his Heavenly home on October 17, 2021 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Bradley Duane Tharp; one infant daughter, Terri Lynn Tharp; one grandson, Timothy Ellison, Jr. and one granddaughter, Christina Tharp.
Surviving are four children, Lance (Denise) Tharp of Bartonville, Victoria (Pastor John) Worsham of Pekin, Rene (Pastor Tim) Ellison of Pekin and Kathy (Pastor Donnie) Crosswhite of Alma, Arkansas; her daughter-in-law, Trena Tharp; eighteen grandchildren, Nicole (Jason) Huddleston, Kristin (Shawn DePeugh) Tharp, Stephanie (Michael) Figerelli, Lindsey (Josh) Hoffman, Bradley (Beth Randall) Tharp, II, Misty (Rich) Black, Sarah (Andrew) Barber, Brenda (Jeff) Lowell, Timothy (Jessica) Roller, Joel (Kaitlyn Helmer) Tharp, Joshua (Melinda) Worsham, Jason (Danielle) Worsham, Benjamin Ellison, Caleb Ellison, Bethany Crosswhite, Kayla Crosswhite, Jesse Crosswhite and Matthew Crosswhite and thirty-one great-grandchildren.
Karen supported her husband in pastoral ministry from 1980 to 1994, when she and her husband became missionaries. Together they then served from 1994 to 2019 as missionaries with Rock of Ages Prison Ministry of Cleveland, Tennessee. They then continued with Prisoner Bible Institute until 2021.
Karen was passionate about spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed flowers, gardening, cooking, sewing and making crafts. She loved and raised cocker spaniels and was registered with the American Kennel Club.
She was a member of Town & Country Baptist Church in Pekin.
Her celebration of life funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Town & Country Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Timothy Ellison and Pastor Donnie Crosswhite will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be in Kingston Mines Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Town & Country Baptist Church, 18443 Illinois Route 9, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
