Karen A Cross

Ms. Karen Kemp Cross, age 78, a resident of Sharon, TN, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Van Ayer Nursing Facility in Martin, TN.

Karen was born on January 6, 1947, to the late Homer L. Kemp and Dorothy Louise Baker Kemp in Obion County, TN.

She was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Sharon, TN. A graduate of the Class of 1965 at Obion County Central High School in Troy, TN, she earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Karen dedicated 45 years to education, serving as a schoolteacher in the Weakley County Schools for 42 years. She was a past Chapter President of the Alpha Delta Kappa Education Sorority, a member of the Weakley County Retired Teachers Association, and an evaluator for the Tennessee Career Ladder Program.

She is survived by her son, John Kemp (Amanda) Cross of Martin, TN; two grandchildren, Averie Cross and Jackson Cross, both of Martin, TN; one sister, Linda Yates (Andy Jetton) of Sharon, TN; one sister-in-law, Mary Tanner Kemp of Ringgold, Ga; and one nephew, William Tyler (Cassie) Yates II of Martin, TN.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Homer D. Kemp of Cookville, TN

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 2:00pm at Murphy Funeral Home.Visitation will be held on Friday, May 23 beginning at 11:00 am until the hour of service at Murphy Funeral Home.
Bro. John Blackwell will officiate.
Burial to follow at Fremont Cemetery in Samburg, Tn.

Active pallbearers will be:
Billy Tate Jr., Billy Green, Mark Rushing, Jimbo Davis, Tyler Yates and John David Paschall.

Murphy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 721-587-3121