Karla Weber, 70, of Akron, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2020, surrounded by family.  She was born on April 15, 1950, to Walter and Marguerite Flack.  At an early age, God blessed her with additional parents, Shannon, and Dorothy Craig, who instilled the importance of God, family, and community service.

Karla loved God, her family, and people.  She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.  She devoted her life to enriching the lives of others through teaching and counseling the City of Cleveland youth.  She mentored Kent State University freshmen; supported UNCF, United Way, local and national PTA’s, and Al-Kaf Shrine #109 Youth Group.  Most notably, she taught, nurtured, and inspired children and teachers for more than 32 years at Akron Public Schools.  In 2016, Akron Public Schools presented Karla with the employee emeritus certificate in recognition of creatively arousing a love of reading and learning in countless students.

Karla was a gifted artist whose preferred media included charcoal sketches, abstract acrylic paintings, wood sculptures, stained glass, clothing, and draperies.  She was a gifted chef who was known for her exotic meals as well as creole and soul food staples such as gumbo, jambalaya, sweet potato pie, lemon pound cake, and turtle cake.

Those who knew Karla, appreciated her competitive spirit, smile, kindness, and wit.  She was a fierce basketball and board game player and was always in the stands cheering for her family and students.   She had a smile that would instantly lift your spirits.  She was a trusted confidante and advisor.  She was a gifted storyteller who had impeccable timing when she dropped a nugget of wisdom or humor.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Marguerite (James) Jasper; father, Walter Flack, Jr.; adoptive parents, Shannon and Dorothy Craig; mother-in-law, Virginia Weber; brothers Russell Craig, Sr., and Walter Flack, III; sister, Margaret Pittman; brothers-in-law, Raymond Broaddus and John Weber, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Ernestine J. Craig.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Fred; daughter, Desiree; brothers, George Russell, Larry Craig, and Wilson (Betty)  Rhodes; sisters, Daun Jasper, JoAnne Weber, Regina Weber, and Roberta Weber; special cousin and best friend, Arnetress (Anthony) Roy; special cousins, Constance (Muhammad) Ameen, Charlett (Jackie) Chatman, Lowell Loftin, Leonard (Monica) Loftin, and Jennifer (John) Miller; nephews Russell Craig, Jr., Shannon (Kim) Russell, Dana (Lisa) Rhodes, Paul (LaVina) Hale, and Anthony Roy;  nieces, Kim Craig, Judith (Pam) Rhodes, DeAnna (Curtis) Smith, Yolanda Ware, Lisa (Walter) Gibson, Rae-Bindi Broaddus, and Virginia Weber; the Harris Elementary PTA moms; staff at Jackson Elementary and Case Elementary schools; as well as a host of great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, special daughters and sons, and friends.