Karen Bradshaw Spalding of Vestavia Hills, AL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 8, 2026. After a valiant fight against the rare neurodegenerative disease Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, her family, while heartbroken, is grateful that she is now freed from an earthly body that failed her.
Born Karen Desireé Bradshaw on January 18, 1952, in Austin, TX, she was the only child of the late Don and Juanita Bradshaw.
A graduate of the University of Florida, it was there that she met the love of her life, David Spalding. From their very first date, she knew it would be the love of a lifetime. Married for just over 54 years, they served as one of the finest examples of true love and devotion to all who knew them.
From that love grew a beautiful family, allowing Karen to fulfill her greatest wish and truest calling: to be a mother. She raised four beautiful children and was blessed with two grandsons who were the center of her life. She taught all who loved her the importance of love, commitment, caretaking, and the true meaning of family. Those core principles will live on in those who remain and will serve as the ultimate testimony to a life well lived.
The family would be remiss if they did not acknowledge the tremendous caregiving team who worked tirelessly to love and care for Karen and David in her final years. They made it possible for them to remain in their home together as both of their neurodegenerative diseases progressed. This was one of the greatest gifts they could have been given. It would not have been possible without Delaine, Janesia, Nyesha, and Jaylah, and the family will be forever grateful for the love and care they gave them.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Donovan Bradshaw, and her mother, Juanita Bradshaw.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. David Spalding; daughters Diana Spalding Johnson, Julia Spalding Crigler (Stephen), and Lauren Terese Spalding; and son Jeffrey Bradshaw Spalding. She also leaves behind a legacy in her two grandsons, Perron Blalock Crigler and Grayson Bradshaw Crigler. She will be missed immensely.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. Burial will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery. The family will begin receiving guests at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CurePSP at psp.org. May awareness bring treatment and, ultimately, a cure.
