Dawn Karau Stone

Dawn Karau Stone, 62, of Flowery Branch, GA passed away at home on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer and multiple sclerosis. She faced many challenges over the past 17 years and has been a valiant warrior during all of her health issues and has shown such grace the whole time.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 28, 2023 at North Metro Baptist Church with interment following at 4:00 p.m. at Memorial Park South Cemetery.  Dr. Frank Cox will officiate.  The family will receive friends 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 28, 2023 at the church. 

Dawn was born in Birmingham, AL on November 14, 1960, to the late Larry and Ruth Karau.  Her family moved to Albany, GA in 1962.  She was preceded in death by a sister, Zona Gale Karau in 1971.

After graduating from Westover High School in Albany, GA, she attended Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, GA, where she met her future husband, Rick, in 1978. After graduation in December 1981, Dawn and Rick married. Rick’s job took them to Miami, FL; Morristown, TN; Thomasville, GA; Lawrenceville, GA; and Flowery Branch, GA. 

Dawn never met a stranger and enjoyed shopping, traveling, sewing, and conversation. She worked in direct sales for many years and loved interacting with her customers. Her natural ability to sell almost anything allowed her to earn many trips to exciting destinations around the world.

She began her own interior decorating and design business and took great satisfaction in wowing her customers with beautiful handmade window treatments and home decorating accessories until MS symptom progression made that impossible. 

She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior when she was 10 at church youth camp and was a long-time member of North Metro Baptist Church. She enjoyed fellowship with other believers and was actively involved in life-group and women’s ministry until she was no longer able to attend in person due to health issues.  She was able to stay connected thanks to her church’s online services.

In recent years she focused on fundraising efforts for the National MS Society (MS Walk teams, Easter Egg yard decorating project, mailbox bows, Christmas luminaires) and was a Top 100 fundraiser multiple times.  She was also instrumental in starting a local team of volunteers (Mercy Matters) that make mats for the homeless from recycled grocery bags.

She was a loving wife, mother of two sons, mother-in-law to two wonderful daughters-in-law, Nana to four beautiful grandchildren, and a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Rick Stone of Flowery Branch, GA; sons, Rick Alan Stone, Jr. (Morgan) of Alpharetta, GA and Andrew Stone (JoAnn) of Valdosta, GA; grandchildren, Caleb Stone and  Abigail Stone (Valdosta, GA), Sophie Stone and William Stone (Alpharetta, GA); and sisters, Judy Smith of Newnan, GA, and Erla Nerthling (Robert) of Hoschton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following:

North Metro Baptist Church, Nehemiah Project                (https://onrealm.org/northmetro/-/form/give/now)  The National MS Society- GA Chapter                         (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/GAA)

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences to ww.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.