Life story

" Debrarae Karnes, from Stafford, Virginia, returned to be with her Heavenly Father, and earthly parents on April 28th, 2020. She was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 18, 1955; she grew up in Stafford, Virginia, attended Sweet Briar College for women and earned a law degree from Creighton, University in Nebraska and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University in Virginia. She worked as an attorney and land use planning expert in various capacities. She was a local government planner, a consumer advocate for local government, a Planning Commissioner for the Aquia District in Stafford and was an attorney at Leming and Healy, providing legal advice to developers for various communities in the Fredericksburg region until her death.

She was a faithful convert and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the friendships she made in her congregation, and enjoyed fulfilling her ecclesiastical callings, including her favorite, Sunday School teacher for teenagers.

Debrarae was an ardent advocate for animals, especially stray and neglected cats, and served many years with Siamese Cat Rescue of Virginia. It was her known wish that her estate be donated to this organization and to Sweet Briar College.

Her hobbies included a love of Broadway and Hollywood musicals, listening to piano showtunes, reading, scuba diving, and watching David Venable. She had a remarkable ability to immediately identify a pianist upon hearing just a few notes. Her unique home was built by her Father in 1962, prior to uniform building codes, and matched her one of a kind spirit. She was a steadfast, and unprejudiced representative of her clients, despite many years of battling Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Debrarae was the only child of Eddie Jason and Mary Ellen Bowles Karnes. She is survived in death by many friends, colleagues and especially her childhood friend Faye Carroll. All will miss her humor, wit and wisdom.

Please share your memories of Debrarae on this website or at https://app.gratbook.com/book/debrarae-karnes-life

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