Karen Denise Childress made her entrance into the world on October 20, 1958, to Rosie Downs & Louis Kornbacher in Kansas City, KS.  She received her primary education in the Kansas City Missouri School District until her senior year of high school where she completed and received her high school diploma from Sumner High School in 1976  in KC, KS.  Karen had a big heart and always took care of others; therefore, it was only natural that she pursued a career in the medical field. In her adult years she worked as a Unit Secretary at KU Medical Center and finished her career as an employee at Research Medical Center. She was a hard worker and enjoyed her career until she became physically unable to perform her duties any longer. However, Karen did not let that get her down. She used her newfound free time to take care, enjoy and cherish her loved ones.

Karen possessed a smile that would light up any room and was ALWAYS the life of the party. She was a very loving and caring person who possessed the amazing talent to make everyone she ever encountered feel loved, cherished, respected and special. She was affectionately known to some as "Tammie" or "KC" although her greatest pride was when she was referred to as "MOMMA" and "GANNIE".  She enjoyed growing plants and participating in many activities which included reading, cooking, laughing, attending the extracurricular activities of her beloved grandchildren, going to the movies and playing games with her family & friends. She thoroughly enjoyed her family and friends and appreciated all the time that she got to spend with them and most of all living life one day at a time.

At an early age she accepted & gave her life to Christ as her Lord and Savior. Later in life she rededicated her life to Christ at True Vine Baptist Church in KCMO. Sadly with heartbreak and great dismay on Sunday, September 5, 2021, Karen made her transition from earthly life to her life for eternity. She was preceded in death by, Rufus Curtis Childress Jr.; her parents: Rosie Downs, Louis & Alice Kornbacher;    her siblings, Maurice Downs and Janice Norwood.

She is survived by: her children, Telly Kornbacher & Rufus "Curtis" Childress III; grandchildren, Terrance Johnson, Tamera Kornbacher-Johnson and Charon Haley Jr.; great-grandchildren, A'Daya Freeman and Jah'Mir Adebiyi; siblings, Della (Andrew) Robinson-Hockett, Rita Downs, Nomie (Silvester) Rodriguez, Gail (James) Johnson, Conjetta (Clabe) Taylor, Michelle Kornbacher-Birmingham, Carla Edwards, Roger Downs Sr., Charles Downs Sr., and David (Vee) Downs; uncle: Eddie Kornbacher; cousin, Mary J. Myers; her best friend, Tracey Coker; godchildren, Verdell Coker, Tranae' Coker, Travell Coker and Hollywood Coker and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.... too many to name but none with a less important or insignificant role in her life. She truly loved and appreciated all of you!!

Services for Ms. Childress will be held 3:00 P. M. Saturday, September 18, 2021, at E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel. Friends may call from 2:00 P.M. until service time Saturday at the chapel.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. ELEY & SONS FUNERAL CHAPEL.