Patricia (Patti) McCorvey Karras was born in Nashville, Georgia on September 6, 1961. She attended Berrien County schools and graduated from Berrien High School in 1979. She graduated cum laude from Valdosta State College (now University) in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1985 where she was a member of the Moot Court Board, and was active in Phi Delta Phi, serving as Exchequer in 1983 and Magister in 1984. During her term as president, the legal fraternity was awarded the Bibb County Volunteer of the Year award for its service to the community in tutoring the children residing at the Masonic Children’s Home in Macon.

She returned to Valdosta after graduation in 1985 and joined the firm of Dover, Sherwood and Shelton. This firm merged with the firm of Barham, Bennett, Miller & Stone in 1991. She now practices law at 701 North Patterson Street with the firm of Dover, Miller, Karras &, Langdale, P.C. She is a principal specializing in the areas of family law and adoption. Other areas of practice include personal injury, real estate law, estate planning and probate law. She is a member of the Valdosta Bar Association, serving as Secretary in 1987, and the State Bar of Georgia. She was a member of the first Leadership Lowndes class and has served as a board member of the VSU Alumni Association.

She and her husband, Mark, were married in 1985 and have two children, Maggie and Carter, who have since graduated from Auburn University. She and her family are members of First Baptist Church of Valdosta.