Diane A. Tarlas Karnages, 80, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.
She was born September 28, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to James and Dorothy (Pana) Tarlas. Diane was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and worked as a bookkeeper for her family’s business, Tarlas Food Company.
Diane was an amazing and hard-working woman of strength, class, dignity, and grace. She was a selfless daughter, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother as well as a devoted and loving lifelong friend to many. Her ability to convey her genuine interest and concern for others was a quality felt not only by her family, but by all she met. She was intelligent, kind, wise, generous, and clever. She did her crossword puzzles in ink, and she embodied her high school superlative of “Class Wit” until her final days. She was the ultimate homemaker, seamstress, and cook; the head of a warm and always beautiful household. Diane quietly endured a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, but she chose to focus her energy on loving those around her. Her greatest joys in life were her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her devotion, care, and loyalty to those she loved was her vocation in life: a true example of selfless love.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Basil and John.
She is survived by her daughter Amy and husband Jim Garrett, four grandchildren: Matt (Ashley) Garrett, Malorie (Zach) Bohannon, Michael Garrett, Mitchel Garrett, and three great-grandchildren: Meredith Bohannon, Theodore Bohannon, and Annelise Garrett.
In compliance with public health and safety directives, the service details for Mrs. Karnages are private.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 5645 Blandville Road, Paducah, KY 42001; St. Mary School System, 1243 Elmdale Road, Paducah, KY 42003; and Mercy Health Hospice, 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003.