Karlene Ann Fairweather

Karlene Ann Campbell Fairweather lived a full and beautiful life – ( July 31,1968 - January 20, 2025 ). Karlene’s life would seem too short to many, but those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand that her existence and the imprint she left on our hearts exceed the quantity of time that she stayed here. 56 years of love, laughter and strides. Born on July 31, 1968 in Kingston, Jamaica to Joyce and Ulrich Campbell as the youngest of her 5 siblings – Tony, Sydney, Christopher, Marcia and Winston. It was in Carribean Terrace where she began to grow into the fiercely loving family woman, proud Jamaican and devout Catholic. Shortly after graduating from Excelsior High School, Karlene immigrated to New York where she began her adult life. By 1990 her life changed when she met Gary Fairweather at the annual family Christmas party. Gary and Karlene married soon after and maintained a union of love that survived separation by blooming into a deep loyalty and friendship, which gave way to accomplishing one of her dreams of becoming a mother to; Sean Fairweather, Christopher Fairweather, Chanelle Fairweather, Cody Fairweather and Nneka Hayles who is lovingly known as her daughter. Karlene loved being a mother, grandmother, Gigi and equally loved being a sister, an auntie and friend. Her memory will be our gift to cherish– silly stories of her unyielding ability to create fun wherever she was, endless conversations about Tennessee Blue, saying the wildest things that turn out to be the best life lessons, and always giving us a fashion moment. More profoundly, however, Karlene’s history of love in action will be our deepest loss – times when she shared her home with us when we needed a place to heal, the long phone calls where we poured out our secrets and sorrows knowing she wouldn't love us any less, beach trips, parties and the unique moments when she would cuss us out when we finally needed to hear her truth! The ride or die Auntie. Our ultimate go-to woman. Karlene’s steadfast determination, to be free, can be the lesson and legacy for all of us who carry this loss. This objective turned out to be her guiding principle and decision making process. Even as she faced the long and difficult journey with breast cancer, her triumphant recovery is yet another example of her will to live and live freely. This is what made her courageous, inspirational, kind, loving, funny, full of joy, a ball of fire that showed us what can be accomplished with determination and persistence. She lived her life to the fullest. While this serves as her obituary, it by no means, emcompasses the multidimensional icon that Karlene was. Two events will honor Karlene’s life: 11:00am Funeral Mass in Atlanta, Georgia on February 8, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312. All are welcomed. 4:00pm-9:00pm A Celebration of Life at the home of Audrey and Chris Campbell 1146 Flagstone Way, Acworth GA 30101. Donations in Karlene’s memory may be made by going to https://gofund.me/f126de6f .

Tributes

Karlene Ann Fairweather

July 31, 1968 - January 20, 2025