Karen Wetherington

Karen Wetherington passed away from lung cancer at the age of 66 on May 26th, 2022, in the comfort of her daughter’s home in Atlanta, GA surrounded by her children. Throughout her eight-year journey with lung cancer, Karen remained strong through the very end.

Karen was born to the late Donald Wickman and Mary Wickman on April 28, 1956. Karen’s 40+ year nursing career began in Indianapolis, Indiana, after graduating from Ball State University, that she continued for many years in Rome, GA. In 2008, she graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham after earning her Nurse Practitioner degree. Throughout her nursing career, Karen touched countless patients’ lives in various health sectors, including hospital ICUs, Public Health departments, and Specialty Care Clinics. Towards the end of her career, she taught nursing at Georgia Highlands, where she instructed and prepared future nurses.

Karen was most known for being a skilled nurse, loyal friend, and loving mother and grandmother. She cared about her Cave Spring community and served on the Cave Spring Historical Society. Karen was a spiritual woman and an active member of her church, Cave Spring United Methodist Church, where she attended Methodist seminars on the church’s behalf, regularly volunteered, played piano, and sang in the choir. She loved nature and enjoyed hiking, exploring, and advocating for environmental concerns. Karen was a lover of music ranging from singing in choirs, playing piano and guitar, attending concerts/music festivals, and encouraging her family to be musical as well.

Karen is survived by her three children, Lauren Wetherington (Adam), Brooke Bruton (Drew), and Eric Wetherington; her mother, Mary Wickman; her two siblings, Sue Blackburn (Chip) and John Wickman (Barb); her two grandchildren, Eli and Harper Bruton; and her nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her friends and family. She will continue to be a source of strength and inspiration to her family as well.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Cave Spring United Methodist Church with Rev. Natalie Faulkner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, www.nature.org.

Private interment services for Ms. Wetherington were held at 9:00 A.M., Sunday morning, June 12, 2022 at the Cave Spring Cemetery with Rev. Natalie Faulkner officiating.

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