Carolyn Sue Haerr

Carolyn Sue Haerr, 74, of Spring City, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2023, at her home after a 2 month battle with leukemia.  

She is survived by her husband, Christopher Haerr; daughter Dina Haerr Hess (husband Don Hess) and son Greg Haerr (wife Amy); and seven grandchildren: Kit, Connor, Roiya, Brianna, Bella, Rowan, and Brendan. She is also survived by four brothers and a sister: Dale Lenear, June Roberson, Charles Lenear, David Lenear, and Jim Lenear.  

Carolyn was the most wonderful sister, wife, mother, and grandmother a family ever could have wished for. She and her husband Christopher grew up together and were best friends for their entire lives, and they were married for nearly 55 years. They were inseparable and loved spending time together, traveling to national parks and other scenic areas during their retirement, and creating priceless memories with their children and grandchildren.  

Carolyn earned her BS in Nursing at Southern Illinois University and her MSN at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She worked as a nurse for over 50 years in a career which she described as "everything but OB," including serving at the VA Hospital in St. Louis and as Director of Nursing at Dayton Hospital. Her career included hospital work, home health, and, after her theoretical retirement, school nurse for the Rhea County Schools, where she delighted especially in her ability to provide medical care for many children with limited access to healthcare. She was well known for her compassion and endless dedication to everyone she served.

Carolyn was ceaselessly active in her church and in her local community, and even in retirement she was constantly busy with volunteer work. She was a member of the Spring City United Methodist Church for 45 years. She was an extremely active member of the United Methodist Women and served in many local, district, and conference offices, including serving as the Holston Conference UMW Vice-President and then as the Conference President.  She passionately supported UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) and other missions. One of her favorite missions was traveling once or twice per year with the Mexico Medical Mission team to the remote communities of Ixtepec and Tatocac, Mexico in the Sierra Madre mountains to provide medical care to people who otherwise lack any access to healthcare. Hundreds of people walk long distances to come to the clinic every time it is made available.  The work of the Mexico Medical Mission was so critical to her that even though she was feeling tired and weak, she still went on the most recent trip April 29-May 7.  We didn't know yet then why she was not feeling well, but she went and served to the best of her ability because she knew how much her medical expertise was needed.

Carolyn was infinitely kind, infinitely generous, and never stopped putting love, faith, and hope into constant daily practice. She rarely sat still because there was just too much she wanted to do. Our loss is immeasurable and our lives will never be the same without her.  She was the center of our family, the most intrinsic part of our family puzzle. She leaves behind not only an unfathomable hole in our family but in her entire community, where she served and loved without ceasing for all the decades of her life.  

A memorial service will be held at the Spring City Methodist Church on Saturday, August 19 at 2pm.  Her ashes will be interred in the Hanna Cemetery in Noble, IL.

In lieu of flowers, Carolyn requested that donations be made to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). 100% of your donation reaches your chosen mission project or ministry. Donations may be made online at https://umcmission.org/give/ (scroll down to the blue box that says "give online" and select from one of the 5 options). To give by phone, call 1-888-252-6174 (credit card gifts accepted). To give by mail, send checks to UMCOR Global Ministries, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.

Vaughn Funeral Home of Spring City is in charge of the arrangements of Carolyn Sue Haerr and asks that you share your memories and condolences with her family on our website www.vaughn-funeral-home.com.