Karyn Gilliam - Smith made a grand entrance on Sunday, July 9th, 1961 and took her final bow on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022.
She was raised as the only child to the late Samuel Burkley - Smith and Edna Christine Brown - Smith, Karyn received her formal education in the state of Virginia. She would go on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in General Management from Old Dominion University located in Norfolk, Virginia. With her vibrant personality and attention to fine detail, Karyn relocated to Washington, DC and began her illustrious career as a Human Resources Specialist for the United States Department of Defense. A career that spanned almost 24 years and afforded her the opportunity to live in many places throughout the United States and abroad such a Japan, Korea, and Germany.
Karyn was a devoted daughter. Several years after her mother passed away, Karyn took an early retirement to become a full time caretaker for her father until his death in 2016. Not one to let grass grow under her feet Karyn joined the United States Postal service as a Sales & Marketing Specialist and would eventually find her way back into her career field working for the Center foe Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia as a Human Resources Lead until her untimely death.
While in Washington, DC, Karyn discovered her love for the stage. It was through that love that her alter-ego Indigo Diamond, a competitive but classy, regal and glamorous persona was born. With brother, makeup and hair maestro, Kirk Bell by her side Indigo Diamond would go on to compete in many pageants capturing titles such as Miss Bachelors Mill, Miss Tracks, Miss Capital City and placed first alternate to Miss Black Gay Ohio and Miss Black America Plus (two of the longest running and well respected Black Gay Pageantry Systems).
Karyn was really big on community service and giving back, her organizational involvement has included: Alpha Kappa Psi - Professional Business Fraternity Incorporated, Us Helping Us - People into Living, former National President of Kappa Iota Sigma Sorority, Incorporated, and Georgia Ambassador for the National Trans Visibility March, 2019.
On Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019 in Lithonia, Georgia alongside Lynn Diana Prince Morrison and Candyce J. Evans, Karyn decided she wanted something of her own exclusively for woman of color and trans experience. On that date she founded Epsilon Tau Delta Sorority Incorporated.
Karyn was know to be kind, considerate, generous, and helpful to all who encountered her. She had such love for her extended family and especially the ladies of Epsilon Tau Delta Sorority Incorporated. This is a sudden and devastating loss, and a remind of how precious life is. She will truly be missed.
In Memory of a Sister
Written by Founder D.E.M.U.R.E.
I won’t use this time to say goodbye to a friend, a sister, my go to, my LS but I would use this time to explain how she touched everyone today and how we are all connected. Our circles may not have been the same but one thing was definitely certain, we all have a similar connection. I know that through life we gain connections, memories, life lessons and experiences. All have their own way to be unique to us and share with others. See, that’s the joy about them. We use these to make profiles in our mind to know what we like, don’t like or possibly could consider if not fully sure. Karyn you made your stamp on this rock called earth. Your connections made connections. They gave others
connections, new friends, new family and we are forever grateful. Your spirit of giving, strength, love and wisdom has touched not only me but others in this room this very day. When given the option to start this great organization of Epsilon Tau Delta Sorority Inc together, you saw the potential. The need for ladies to fellowship and be there for one another. A true sisterhood bond that the community needs. As time goes, more sisters are flourishing and seeing the vision we all push to excel through diversity. You were the rainbow owl that shined so bright that we as a unit moved. From the founders, to the alpha line to many that will follow behind….. just know that we never will lose her but she gained another title. She’s a Founder and Omega Guardian of ETΔ. A gatekeeper for us to keep the sisterhood thriving. Even though physically you may not be present but you are always with us in our hearts. A great quote to remember would be,” I was pushed back and about to fall but the Lord helped me……. The lord is my strength and defense; he has become my salvation….-Psalm 118:13-14”