Karen Dockins Elz, 56, of Gainsville, Georgia (formerly of New Franklin, MO), passed away May 20, 2021.  

Karen was born May 30, 1964, in Boonville, MO, the daughter of Delano and Elsie Dockins of New Franklin, MO.  She was a 1982 graduate of New Franklin Schools. She was a tremendous athlete participating in basketball, softball and track and played two years of college basketball and softball. Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of school children she shared her passion for learning with over three decades as an elementary teacher.  She loved her role as a teacher and was passionate about the impact teachers can have on an individual student and community.  Karen taught in six different schools over her career and was named teacher of the year in five of them.  

She was an amazing wife, best friend, mother, daughter and sister. 

Karen is survived by her husband, Bob, of Gainsville, Georgia, her two sons, Bo (Hannah) and Zac, her daughter Emily, mother Elsie Dockins of Omaha, Nebraska, brother Jim (Kelly) of Omaha, Nebraska, sister Jennifer (Greg) Forsyth of Harrisburg, PA, nieces and nephews and countless admirers, friends and students.  

As a close friend of Karen’s said, “I can’t believe one of my favorite people in the whole world is gone.  She was such a good, good person.” 

Karen would have loved nothing more than to be able to give back to the community where she grew up. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Karen’s name to the ‘New Franklin Youth Athletic Association’.  All donations should be sent to Jeffrey Chitwood, c/o Gerding, Korte and Chitwood, 723 Main St., Boonville, Missouri, 65233.