Karen J. McComas' Obituary
McComas, Karen J., age 73, of Clarksville and formerly of Chester, Virginia and Waynesville, Missouri (via U.S. Army Ft. Leonard Wood), passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Atrium Medical Center in Middletown.
Karen retired as an ACS Officer for the United States Army after a career spanning 26 years. Highly respected in her career, she received the prestigious Order of the Plume award for the impact she made on the well-being of military families and personnel. In addition, she received a Letter of Accommodation from the Governor of Virginia for the Holiday Helper program she started, which is still running today. In addition, she was given multiple (more than 20) Challenge Coins over her years of service. Karen also received the ACS Officer of the Year award, which she was always proud of.
Loving, caring, giving, and hardworking, Karen was accomplished but always humble. As part of her working career, she lived in several locations, including the country of Germany for several years, which she thoroughly enjoyed. During her time in Germany, she traveled all over Europe, enjoying the many cultures and locations throughout the region. Of particular note, she was requested to write articles for the Army’s travel guide on Poland and Czechoslovakia. Her favorite place to visit in Europe was the country of Belgium, where she loved shopping in the flea markets. She purchased a bed made in 1840 in a flea market made of high-grade wood furniture. While living back in the United States, she continued her love of travel. She made a trip with her husband, Terry, to Waco, Texas to visit the gardens made famous by Joanna & Chip Gaines. The road trip totaled over 2000 miles and lasted more than two weeks, visiting many exciting locations on the way. Karen’s other hobbies included reading and visiting auctions, estate sales, and yard sales.
Karen enjoyed the holidays and decorated extensively for each one. During Christmas, she set up a Christmas tree in virtually every room of her house. She collected many unique items during her life, including Longaberger baskets, antique oil cans, Hummel and Goebel figurines, German sleds, German potato wagons, and dishes of all sorts. Among many things, Karen will be remembered for her love of Pepsi and for how much she adored her little toy poodles, Honey and Sugar.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jamie Parsons; her parents, William “Bill” H. Pinson and Wilma Bostic; and her sister, Sue Fisher. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Terry McComas; two daughters, Kimberly (Brian) Courtney and Alison (Moni) Morshed; six grandchildren, Landon Parsons, Joshua Parsons, Connor Courtney, Logan Courtney, Tori Morshed (fiancé Max), and Jordan (Jessica) Morshed; two great-grandchildren, Kinzley and Isabella; two brothers, Billy and Tommy Pinson; daughter-in-law, Tammy Parsons; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
The family will receive friends from 10 AM to Noon on Saturday, February 22, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. A celebration of life service will immediately follow the visitation on Saturday at the funeral home, with Randy Brown and Ryan Brown officiating. If you are unable to attend the service, the funeral home will be livestreaming the service. The link is available under the "Tribute Wall" tab. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Shriners Hospital for Children, and the Holiday Helper at Fort Gregg-Adams. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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