On January 16, 1945, the world changed forever. Karen "KK" Viola (she would kill me if she knew I told y'all) was born to James Wilbur "Mac" McAllister and Maime Viola "Ola" Balkcom in Tifton, Ga.

Shortly after, the Macs took up residence in Bainbridge, GA and I am not sure the town was completely prepared. KK was a force to be reckoned with. She was friendly, kind, smart, loyal, and outgoing. She immediately made lifelong friends and had a very active social life. She enjoyed dances at the Rec Club, going on dates, and hanging out at Bram's. But, her true love was cheerleading with her best friend crew. She spoke fondly of these days her entire life and would still do cheers in her purple and gold letter jacket well into her 70s.

She graduated from Valdosta State College with a Master's in Education which was nothing short of a miracle because her entire heart belonged to her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. She gained sisters for life. I can tell you that I grew up having to sing and clap "I want to go A--DePi, don't you?" She cherished her college days and fell in love with Valdosta.

But then. life changed. I came along, Ansley (Mark) then shortly after Bradley (Tammy). Everything that had come before then took a back seat. We were absolutely her world and in the years that she was a single working mother, she made sure that we never went without. She was an amazing mother (unless you got "the eyebrow" Yikes!)

Her vocation, passion, and calling was teaching. She taught for 36 years at Parker Mathis, Lake Park, and St Mary's elementary schools. She was a dedicated and loving educator. She kept in touch with her students as their lives progressed and loved them even more.

When I was 14, she married my "Daddy", James T. "Vance" McLaughlin. They spent 37 fun filled years together and had many adventures. From boating to dancing to travelling-You name it. Daddy came with a sweet family that included her much loved friends Lynn and David. Daddy passed away in 2016.

Then, at the urging of life long friend Nancy Grimsley, she was reunited with a man she knew from high school. He helped her tremendously with her grief as he had experienced his own. As fate would have it, she had the joy of becoming Mrs. Crawford Smith and spent her remaining years having the best time and being worshipped by him. Now, if that ain't a fairy tale...?

She lived a life overflowing with love and friendship with Mary McCollum and Nancy Burney, all of her teacher friends group, her cherished students like Katie, Sarah, and their mother Jennifer Sailors. Her loyal friends O. Wayne Ellerbee, Johnny Gary, and her truly exceptional caregiver, Debra Horton. As well as her deeply beloved bonus son Monty and his beautiful wife Sara.

She was blessed beyond measure to have a bevy of aunts, uncles, and cousins who she absolutely adored. She grew up, got in trouble, and loved them eternally.

To know her, was to love her. She always had a twinkle in those beautiful brown eyes and she will be unbelievably missed.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.