Karen Cherita 'Chocolate' (Head) Johnson

Karen Cherita Johnson (aka “Chocolate”) was born on September 4, 1957 to Richard and Catherine Head in Columbus, Ohio and departed this life on Thursday, August 10, 2017. Karen graduated from Columbus East High School. She also graduated from Columbus State Community College (formerly known as CTI) with an Associate Degree in Social Work. She retired from State Auto Insurance after 36 years of service. During her early adult years, Karen worked as a model for Lazarus. Karen was a dedicated and faithful member of the Christ Memorial Baptist Church where she served as a member of the security team, the food pantry ministry, vacation bible school worker, Sunday School secretary, and was invited to serve on the Trustee board; wherever she was needed, she served – wholeheartedly. During her retirement, Karen could not sit still, she worked actively for K and J Kleening where she spent her time doing what she loved – cleaning. She made sure the church and Barnett Plaza living facility were immaculate. She only worked to stay busy and support her shopping habits. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She cherished special memories with each of them. While she loved and spoiled her granddaughters, Jaseiah and NyNy, with the girly things and long talks….she had a special passion for those boys – Tavion, LJ, DJ, and Lil’ David. While every holiday was celebrated, Christmas was an experience in Karen’s household! She made sure that everyone who came into the house felt the Joy of CHRIST. Every year, her children would wake up on Christmas morning to find more than enough gifts and any visitor who just stopped by would find a gift of a sweet potato pie…there was something for everyone. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Head and Catherine Head, brother Mark Head, paternal grandparents Roy and Emma Head, maternal grandparents Frank and Bernice Martin, father-in-law Gene Whitaker, and mother-in-law Joyce Johnson. Those left to cherish her precious memory include her husband Donald E. Johnson; beloved daughters, Aisha (David) Hodo, Brandy (Dale Sr.) Chatman, and Mary (Johnny Jr.) Culver; stepsons, Daryl Hartzog, Donald Spencer and Von (Jennifer) Chandler; sisters, Karen (Abraham) Loume and Tonya Shank; brother Thaddeus Head; grandchildren, Tavion Chatman, Jaseiah Edwards, James Brown, III, Symphony Chatman, Dale Chatman, Jr., and David Hodo, II; special mother-in-law Dorothy Whittaker; special aunt Ramona Harris; nieces, Dominique Shank, Ciara Shank, Tasha Head, and Danielle Head; nephews, Howard (Nina) Thorton and Derrick Thorton; special cousins, Erma Carter and Jacqueline Johnson; lifelong friends, Terrie (Tex) Spohn, Jackie Colson, Emma Gregory, and Nelson McCants; and a host of other relatives and friends.