Karen S. Boyd, née Morgan, entered this world on New Year’s Day, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the third child born to Edna and Otis Ford. She was preceded in death by both parents, her sister Linda Morgan, and her husband, Thomas Boyd Jr.

Karen moved with her family to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1962. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1973 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University in 1976. Karen worked various positions as an agency nurse throughout Ohio, always striving to provide her family with everything they could want or need.

Karen met and married Randy Pennington in 1978, and together they welcomed two sons: Randolph, born in 1980, and Maurice, born in 1982. Although their marriage did not last, they remained on friendly terms. In 1983, Karen met Thomas Boyd Jr., who lovingly accepted her sons as his own, as she accepted his son, Thomas III, as hers. Thomas and Karen were united in marriage on November 19, 1988. After years of raising the boys, on September 22, 1993, the couple welcomed a daughter, Ashley-Estella, affectionately known as “Ashley.”

Karen remained devoted to her family while continuing to pour her heart into her nursing career. She spent her days traveling with her children, attending sporting events, school plays, and choir concerts. After 33 years of dedicated service as a nurse, Karen retired in 2009, remaining close to her family and delighting in her role as a grandmother.

After courageously battling colorectal cancer, Karen departed this life early Saturday morning, November 8, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at home.

Karen leaves to carry on her legacy three children: Randolph Pennington, Maurice Pennington, and Ashley-Estella Denisyuk (Bogdan), and one Step Son Thomas Boyd III; two granddaughters, Isabella Bair-Pennington and Aurora Pennington; three grandsons, Hudson Pennington, Jaxson Pennington, and Leon Denisyuk; one brother, Michael Morgan; two sisters, Constance Morgan and Deborah Sandoval; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.