Mary Alice Karnes

Mary Alice Karnes, 85, of Johnson City, died Monday, August 14, 2023, at Dominion Senior Living of Johnson City.

Mary was a Benton, IL native who had moved to Johnson City with her husband in 1995. She was a daughter of the late Vern and Gladys Whaley Mitchell.

She was an honors graduate of Benton High School and Southern Illinois University.

Early in her career, Mary was an elementary educator. Prior to her retirement, she worked as her husband’s dental assistant at the TMJ Treatment Clinic in Johnson City. She also taught dental assisting at John A. Logan Junior College.

Mary was a member of Central Baptist Church, Johnson City.

She was an active volunteer with her husband at Keystone Dental Clinic and served on eighteen dental mission trips to Mexico.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Huitzacua, and her brother, Robert "Bob" Mitchell.

Survivors include: her husband of 65 years, Dr. George David Karnes; two sons, Mark David Karnes, and his wife Eileen, and Mitchell Scott Karnes, and his wife Natalie; one daughter, Kathy Lynn Smith, and her husband Steve; one sister, Jane House; one brother, John Mitchell; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family of Mary A. Karnes will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Central Baptist Church, Johnson City. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm Saturday in the church sanctuary with Dr. Tommy Hood and Dr. Ron Murray officiating.

Family and friends will gather at 10:00 am Monday, August 21, 2023, at Mountain Home National Cemetery (Historic Section) for committal services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church Missions Fund, 300 N. Roan St., Johnson City, TN 37601 or Keystone Dental Clinic, 603 Bert Street #12, Johnson City, TN 37601.