(Updated 4/13/15 with Memorial Service and Benefit Concert Information)
J. Karen Thomas, a beloved and vital member of Nashville’s theater, film, television and music communities, died this morning at age 50, her longtime partner of almost 20 years, Colette Divine, has confirmed. She was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in January and had been undergoing treatment.
A native of Nashville and graduate of Memphis State, Thomas was a professional SAG actress, singer-songwriter and voice-over artist best known to contemporary television viewers for her role as Audrey Carlisle, the wife of mayor Coleman Carlisle (Robert Wisdom) in the first season of ABC’s NASHVILLE. She was also on Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives. Her numerous other television credits include guest appearances on Criminal Minds and Ellen. Her film career included working alongside Robin Williams in the Nashville-shot Boulevard, as well as roles in The Identical and Captive. She and Divine were also in the documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car?
As a theater performer, she was most recently in the Nashville Repertory Theatre’s 2015 production of Company. In 2013, she was awarded the Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress as Shug Avery in The Color Purple Musical.
As a singer, she released two CDs and shared the stage with Keb’Mo, Cliff Richmond and The Time Jumpers. Her performance at the Ryman Auditorium as a guest soloist with Nashville in Harmony garnered her a standing ovation. She also sang at Cannes Film Festival’s AmPav and performed in shows for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Disney Sea in Tokyo.
Thomas was a dedicated community volunteer. Among the many organizations she donated her time to were TreePeople, Outfest, GLADD, Plug in America, ANSA, Nashville Film Festival, POWER UP, Artists for a World without HIV, Fort Campbell’s Barsanti Elementary and SAG’s BookPALS. She and Divine were also avid supporters and frequenters of the Belcourt Theatre.
Bo Sebastian, an actor, writer, life and health coach and friend of Thomas’, wrote on Facebook this morning that she passed this morning “at the height of her beautiful singing and acting talent.
“I had the pleasure of working with her often enough to know her heart and her inner voice,” he continued. “My soul aches at the loss of her humanness.”
It is asked at this time that flowers and plants not be sent. A GoFundMe Page that is still active was set up in January to help fund Thomas’ rising medical costs.
A Memorial Service in honor of Thomas will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville.
Cause de Célèbre, A Concert Celebration and Benefit event will take place on Friday, April 17, also at the Center for Spiritual Living, from 7-9 p.m. Click here for more info.
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Truly a wonderful human being.
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Truly a wonderful human being.
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She also lit up the stage as a member and vocalist of the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville (CSLN) stage for over three years and led meditation classes with her amazing partner Collette. She volunteered endlessly and just loved the heck out of people. Her church family and her church band family are aching at her loss of physical presence, but celebrating her transition into to infinite
View moreShe also lit up the stage as a member and vocalist of the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville (CSLN) stage for over three years and led meditation classes with her amazing partner Collette. She volunteered endlessly and just loved the heck out of people. Her church family and her church band family are aching at her loss of physical presence, but celebrating her transition into to infinite joy. Love you my sweet sister J.Karen.
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Wonderful write up. 2 corrections however. Age was 56, Alma mater was Memphis State University.
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Wonderful write up. 2 corrections however. Age was 56, Alma mater was Memphis State University.
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I’m SO saddened to learn of this great loss. She never came to class without a huge smile on her face and a word of encouragement to keep up the hard work. I will miss her greatly. I miss her laughter already. Colette, my heart goes out to you. Much love, Amanda/Hot Yoga Plus
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I’m SO saddened to learn of this great loss. She never came to class without a huge smile on her face and a word of encouragement to keep up the hard work. I will miss her greatly. I miss her laughter already. Colette, my heart goes out to you. Much love, Amanda/Hot Yoga Plus
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Remember listening to her DJ’ing middays on Y107 when I was in high school. Great memories! Just saw her in Boulevard when it aired on cable.
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Remember listening to her DJ’ing middays on Y107 when I was in high school. Great memories! Just saw her in Boulevard when it aired on cable.
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