Karen Van Lenten Harris

We lovingly remember Karen Van Lenten Harris, who passed away peacefully on
September 14 at the age of 76. Karen had a deep Christian faith and used her talents to
serve God’s kingdom on earth: musically, in teaching, in church, and in the communities
in which she lived. Karen was a dedicated schoolteacher, a talented pianist and
organist, and a kind soul.

Karen earned a BA in Music Education from Glassboro State Teacher’s College and a
M.Ed. from University of Arizona. She taught middle school music and elementary
education in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Over the years she was a church organist and
choir member at her home churches.

Karen crocheted and gifted more afghans than we can count! She loved crafting and
volunteered frequently both in her home churches and communities over the years to
make hats for hospital newborns, wash cloths and socks for the military, prepare
backpacks for kids going back to school and many other projects. She volunteered to
teach ELS to adults and was always eager to be helpful to someone in need. Some of
her favorite things to do were spending time with family, visiting with friends, and singing
in her church choir.

We all admired Karen’s strength in the face of her long term health challenges. She met
them with faith, courage, and determination.

She is survived by her husband Richard Harris; her daughter and son-in-law Daria and
Kevin Miller and her granddaughters Lilly and Penny; son Joseph Mazar; her step-
daughter Susan and her husband Vance Reyes and their sons Joseph and Michael; step-son
Richie and his wife Courtney and their daughters Mattie and Elisabeth; her brother and
his wife, Bruce and Marcia Van Lenten; sister Marty and her husband Joseph Becker;
sister Jaye Van Lenten and her partner Janette Tazzia; her nieces and nephews Erika
and Orrin Barnhart, Dennis and Ellis; Dena and Chris Renda, Megan and Sara; Brad
and Maria Van Lenten, Addie and Braydon; and several cousins. She was predeceased
by her parents, Bart and Inez Van Lenten.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the music ministries at White Bluff
Methodist Church at 11911 White Bluff Road, Savannah.

Visitation at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at White Bluff Methodist Church, 1911 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31419, followed by a Celebration of Karen’s life at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday September 18th , Karen’s 77th birthday.