Karla McLendon

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Karla Reneé McLendon, who was called home on Monday, August 29, 2022. Visitation will be held on Thursday September 8, 2022 from 12pm to 8pm with family present from 6pm to 8pm at Gregory B Levett and Sons Gwinnett Chapel at 914 Scenic Hwy S, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Celebration of Life Services will be held over two days. Our first service will be Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2pm at Gregory B Levett and Sons Gwinnett Chapel. Our second service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2pm at Williams Funeral Home at 2945 Old Tobacco Rd, Hephzibah, GA 30815. Her burial will occur thereafter at Walker Memorial at 620 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30901. Karla Reneé McLendon was born February 9th, 1970 to Mary Alice Rhoden and James Brown in Augusta, Georgia. She was called home on Monday, August 29, 2022, surrounded by family. She was the youngest of 3. Karla was a devoted mother, sister, daughter, educator, and friend. She lived a life dedicated to Christ, most recently attending Berean Christian Church in Snellville, GA. She previously attended Hopewell Baptist Church in Norcross, GA, Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Augusta, GA, and New Exodus Missionary Baptist Church in Hephzibah, GA. Karla was a lover of the arts – from songwriting, to dancing, to modeling and more. Her passion for the arts led her to the production of annual pageants. She was immensely beautiful and talented, in every way. She had dreams of starting her own cosmetic line and designing journals to help people reframe their internal narratives. She got offers from top modeling agencies in New York but elected to pursue her education. She graduated from John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in 1988. She attended Georgia State University to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education before attending Brenau University to receive a Master’s degree in Education as well. She went on to get a Specialist degree from the same institution. Karla worked in Dekalb County Public Schools before teaching in Gwinnett County Public Schools for nearly 20 years, teaching math, science, and social studies in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Stone Mountain Middle, Crews Middle, Snellville Middle, Grace Snell Middle, and Northbrook Middle. She touched the lives of an incredible number of students and staff alike. Her smile illuminated the hallways and her dedication to education was felt. Her voice was so calming and her laugh so satisfying. Her pride and joy were her children, Kayla and Isaiah. She was so proud of them and would never shy away from bragging about them, from the type of people they were becoming, to what they were doing in their careers, to how well they took care of her as caregivers in her time of need. Karla was very active and loved nature. She enjoyed going on daily 6 mile jogs, hiking, biking, and painting under the sun. She loved seeing waterfalls and finding new vista points. Karla had even attended 5am circuit training classes, where she found her fitness family. Karla’s passing was preceded by her late brother, Thaddeus “Carl” Burney. Karla is survived by her children, Earl Isaiah McLendon, 20, and Kayla McLendon, 25, her mother, Mary Alice Rhoden, and her sister Antoinentte Burney, as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends

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Karla McLendon

February 9, 1970 - August 29, 2022