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Karen Herndon
Karen (Herndon) Miller, of Shrewsbury, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 8, 2013. She was 69.
Karen was born May 26, 1943 in Camden, Tennessee a daughter of the late Joe T. and Anita (Hicks) Herndon. Raised in Bruceton, Tennessee she graduated from Central High School where she was a member of the Central High School Band and Majorettes. In 1964 she graduated from University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She was a member of Tri Delta Sorority and toured Europe with the UT singers in 1962.
On December 29, 1964 she married Thomas B. Miller and then taught in the Nashville, Tennessee public school system for 5 years. In 1973 she moved with Tom and their 2-year-old son to Shrewsbury. After staying at home to raise her son and daughter she later taught English literature, History and Social Studies in the 7th and 8th grades at Shrewsbury Middle School for over 15 years, retiring in 2005. In the late 1990's she completed her Master's in Education from Worcester State College. She loved her work as a teacher. She took pride in her students and cherished the many friendships that developed with her co-workers at the middle school.
She was a member of the Shrewsbury Education Association and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester and in earlier years was active on committees and its women's groups. Karen was active in supporting many charitable organizations including Big Brother/Big Sister and the Salvation Army. Having developed arthritis in later years she kept active at the Greendale YMCA where she would swim with a good group of friends in its Water Lilies group. Luncheons with fellow teachers, day trips card games and the events of family life, especially those centered on her granddaughters are what Karen loved most.
In addition to her husband, Tom, she leaves her children, Dr. T. Bryan Miller of Worcester and Elizabeth H. Miller of Chestnut Hill; her granddaughters, Julia and Peyton Miller; her brother, Joseph L. Herndon of Miami, Florida; nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Karen's life by gathering for a calling hour at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Friday, March 15th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Karen's memory with a contribution to the National Arthritis Foundation, 1330 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309 or other charity of your choice.
For obituary & more pictures visit here http://heald-chiampa.tributes.com/obituary/read/Karen-H.-Miller-95404631
[Source: Heald & Chiampa Funeral Home]