Karen Veronica Thomas-Mitchell (Aunt Karen) was born September 30, 1961 to the late Philip A. and Audrey C. Thomas at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC.  She departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 9, 2022.

Karen was educated in Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Washington until her graduation from Saint Cecelia's Academy in 1979.  Just prior to her graduation she worked for various government agencies. Upon graduation she went to work for the Whitman-Walker Clinic. Karen's employment culminated at George Washington University for over 35 years where she held various positions, her last being Senior Assistant Director, Office of Student Financial Assistance. Karen received several awards and accommodations during her time at George Washington University including a Service Award. Karen made many friends and kept those friends close and would do anything for her co-workers if asked. She was known to some of her younger co-workers as "Aunt Karen". She would often give them solid advice and listen if they had problems.

She was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in 1961 and worshipped at Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Catholic Church, always attending the 8:00 Mass until her health began to fail. Karen also helped on Sunday to count the daily church collection.

Karen met and married the love of her life, Patrick Lorenzo Mitchell on May 4, 1991. The two were inseparable. If you saw one you saw the other. It was clear that they enjoyed each other's company as they traveled to various places. They enjoyed eating out and hosting family and friends at their home. Thanksgiving was an especially exciting day. She would call you ALL DAY to see what time you were coming and if your assigned dish was ready.

Karen loved her babies. Cahli was her main man, she enjoyed his basketball games and whatever sport he was playing, she was there. While Cahli was her favorite she spread her love to many, Sabree her goddaughter, Charles and Joseph Thomas, she was always at any event that they had. Her spirit of giving was even extended to her sister Carla's Directors daughter, Lydia whom she loved to take to the WNBA basketball games. She was hoping to make Lydia a women's professional basketball player because she was just as tall as Karen.

Karen was ecstatic when Nova Mia Dobson, her great niece came on the scene January 6, 2016. All the attention went to Nova, she was her Princess. They did everything. She brought Nova everything, clothes, shoes, toys, swing sets. Karen made sure every summer; trips were planned, especially for Nova: Beach, Water Park, amusement parks, miniature golf, and whatever Nova wanted to do.

Karen loved to eat crabs. She would go to at least 4 crab feasts every summer.  She was a Walmart shopaholic who would arrive at the store when it opened and shop for 5 or 6 hours, going down every aisle, even if she didn't need anything in it.

Throughout the years, Karen developed many friendships, with co-workers and neighbors. Linda Brown was her friend for over 50 years. She was adopted as a sister. She was included in everything: family functions, graduations, births, and birthday celebrations. Karen also enjoyed special friendships with Beth Amundson and Christine Jackson who was her riding partner in crime.

One person who Karen loved very much was her high school classmate, Gabrielle Nickens-Garner, who was her spiritual sister, her tell secrets sister, her "let's have a cocktail sister" and a "I have a problem, let's talk sister".

Karen is survived by her husband of 31 years Patrick Lorenzo Mitchell, two brothers, Philip (Nancy) Thomas and John (Alfreda) Thomas and one sister Carla Thomas-Spells (Karl); one sister in law, Mary Simkins(William), one brother in law, William Mitchell(Denise)  five nieces, Miya Thomas-Brevard (Brian), India Simkins- Vance, Mikele Mitchell-Simkins(Jon), Melissa Coleman and Julie Anne Coleman;  five nephews, Cahli Marcus Thomas, Leo Simkins(Roxann), Taj Mitchell and Trevino Mitchell and William Simkins III(Melissa) ;  ten great nephews, Brian Brevard Jr. and Caprice Gunter, Christian Vance and Cameron Deloach, Jonathan Simkins and Jared Simkins, Kevin Simkins,Shunn Simkins,Kingston Simkins and William Simkins IV; five great nieces, Nova Mia Dobson,Lia Rose Simkins,Lark Simkins, Jaelyn Simkins and Selah Simkins.

Sincere appreciation and life-long gratitude are extended to Karen's adopted mother, Gladys Washington and her adopted sister, Lisa Washington-Thomas, who will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Thomas Family.

Family will receive friends on Friday September 16, 2022 , viewing 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Catholic Church, 1357 East Capitol Street, S.E., Washington, D.C.  Internment at Cedar Hill Cemetery.