Carmen Julia Lopez Platt

Carmen Julia Lopez Platt, 78, devoted wife, loving mother, and beloved “Abuela” passed away peacefully at home in Gainesville, Georgia on May 11, 2022.

Born August 13, 1943, in New York, New York, Carmen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Marymount Manhattan College, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. 

Shortly after graduation, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where she taught at Emory University and met the love of her life, Richard. They were married ten months later. She spent the majority of her career as a foreign language professor at Kennesaw College before retiring. She and Richard raised their family in Marietta, Georgia. Carmen was a strong and gracious woman who enjoyed the hunt for a perfect antique, foreign language films, travel, and spending time with her family.

Carmen is survived by her children, Christine Rutledge (Walker) of Marietta, Georgia and Kimberley Shanks of Gainesville, Georgia; grandchildren Carina Shanks, Holden Shanks, and Julia Rutledge; and sister Maria Nelson of Seattle, Washington. Carmen was predeceased by her loving husband of nearly 52 years, Richard, and her parents, Anthony and Candida Lopez of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 2pm in the Chapel at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org), Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (www.nghs.com/foundation/hospice)

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.