Karen Rae Sutton (Goode) left this world on July 9, 2026, at the age of 72. To those who knew and loved her, she was simply Goode. She passed away surrounded by. friends, loved ones, her family of choice, and her devoted wife of 27 years, Donna Johnson. Born on July 7, 1954, in Reno, Nevada, and raised in Las Vegas, she was the beloved daughter of the late Georgina and Raymond Sutton. Karen was also a proud descendant of John Bradshaw of the Mayflower, as well as King Charlemagne and King James.

Goode lived a truly amazing and fantastic life. A natural adventurer, she traveled around the world when she was only 18. She spent the last 22 years of her professional career dedicated to helping lower-income individuals secure housing, constantly going above and beyond to ensure that those who needed assistance the most received it.

A fierce lover and protector of the environment, Goode found beauty in everything around her. She loved the water, gardening, tending to the trees and flowers, watching the birds, sitting by a good campfire, and gazing at the moon and stars. Her deep bond with the natural world earned her the nicknames "Mother Nature" and "Lady Watersong." That love extended to all living things; many four-legged beings crossed her path over the years and found a safe, welcoming home with Goode and Donna.

To those lucky enough to know her, Goode possessed a strong, regal presence that could completely change your outlook on life. If she loved you, she would defend and protect you to the absolute end. Heaven help anyone who caused harm to her loved ones; her loyalty was fierce, unconditional, and enduring.

Goode is preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her wife, Donna Johnson (Blaze); her sisters, Rayma Larsen and Deanna Kirk (Zach); her brothers, Rocky Sutton (Ashley) and Guy Sutton; her step-sister, Yvette; and her step-mother, Maryann Sutton. She also leaves behind her cherished niece, Annabelle, and nephews, Severin Larsen and Riley Kirk.

A celebration of her amazing life will be held on August 1st at 2:00 PM at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Goode’s memory to her favorite charities: Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) or the Coastal Bend Food Bank (https://coastalbendfoodbank.org).