Dr. Karen Campbell
July 26, 1941 ~ November 25, 2016
Resided in:
Salem, SC
Dr. Karen Harmon Campbell, age 75, passed away peacefully at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center on Friday, November 25 th , 2016, after a yearlong battle with cancer. In her final days, as in her life, she was surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Karen was the eldest daughter, and one of four children, of Evelyn Harmon Marshall and Willard Grover Harmon. Karen was born in Asheville, July 26, 1941. Karen is survived by her brother Scott Harmon (wife, Barbara) and sister Diana Smith (husband, Arch), both of Fletcher, NC. Karen was preceded in death by brother Louie Harmon.
She is also survived by her husband of 56 years, James B. Campbell; her two children, Russell S. Campbell and Denise C. Yarborough; and her four beloved grandchildren, Evelyn S. Yarborough, William G. Yarborough, Mary Carson Yarborough, and Margaret I. Campbell—all of Asheville, NC.
In 1958, at age 16, Karen graduated from Valley Springs High School. In 1961, at age 19, she graduated with a degree in Business Education from Western Carolina University. She received a Doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1987. In 1965 Karen began what would become a 36-year-long career in education, during which she worked first as a teacher and then as an administrator. Her service included time as principal of Oakley Elementary, Venable Elementary, Estes Elementary, and T.C. Roberson High School, as well as time as superintendent of Haywood County Schools and Asheville City Schools. In 1987, she was named the Wachovia Principal of the Year for North Carolina. In addition to her work in public education, she also served on the boards of numerous community-minded organizations, such as the United Way, Children First, Junior Achievement, Kids Voting, and the Deerfield Retirement Community.
To friends, family, and colleagues, Karen was known to be driven, compassionate, and loving. She had a passion for children and education, and worked throughout her life to improve public education in the area.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 28th at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, with a reception in Tuton Hall following the service.
A visitation will be held on Sunday from 4 to 6 pm at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dr. Karen Campbell Memorial Fund in care of Buncombe County Schools Foundation, 175 Bingham Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
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I was so very saddened to hear that Dr. Campbell passed away. She was instrumental in my career and was a mentor and model of professionalism, ethical practice, and strong leadership. I had the opportunity to work for her in both Haywood County and Asheville City Schools. Since those days, I have relocated to California and am currently a Deputy Superintendent for a County Office of Education — she was an inspiration and someone whose influence is very much a part of who I have become in my career. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your entire family through this difficult time and that her influence lives on in through the many individuals that she touched.
Russell, We are so very sorry to learn of your loss. Your Mom has lived a wondrous, exemplary life, which we celebrate with you. Know that your Dad, Denise, you, and the grandkids are in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart aches for the family. Please take comfort that Dr. Campbell had such an impact on so very many young lives. I know she did mine.
Denise and Russ, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. What a great educator. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Russ and Denise, so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Thinking of you both.
My deepest sympathies to the Campbell family. I’m so very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the Bibles’ promise of a resurrection, as it means a hope of being reunited with your dead loved ones. (John 5:28,29)
Russ and Denise, i’ m sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. She was a great lady.
What a wonderful mother and public servant. Denise and Russ, I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for this terrible loss! She will hold a special place in my heart…as my elementary school principal. Rest in Peace, Karen and we will meet again one day!!!
Oh I am so sorry to hear this.. Denise and Russ, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your mom was such a wonderful woman.
So sorry to learn of Mrs Campbell’s passing. Our thoughts are with Dx7enise, Russ and the entire family at this time.
We are so saddened to hear about our dear cousin Karen we will miss her and cherish her memory.
Sad, sad, sad…thinking of each of you, Denise, Russ, Rocky, Scott, Diana and the grandchildren who were so special to her.
So sorry , Karen was a great lady .We are thinking of all of you.
We will miss this great lady! A unique mixture of compassion, intelligence and drive!. Our family is blessed to have known her and feel her love. Open arms await her in her new surroundings.
I am so sorry to hear this. Karen was a wonderful person and a joy to work under. She hired me to work at Venable as a teacher assistant in 1982. She was an example all in her profession need to follow. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Denise,
Sorry I can’t be with you at this time. Unfortunately I am with all my Kids in California. Please know that my sincerest condolences are sent to you both
Karen was a wonderful teacher, administrator and friend. She held her head high and was always willing to work with everyone to achieve the best results, no matter what the issues. She will be missed…but better, she will long be remembered.
Simply a very kind and wonderful Lady. She was always so caring and nice to myself and all of Russ’s friends. Even when we didnt deserve it 🙂
Prayers for Russ, Denise, and family.
Being a lifelong educator myself, I highly admire all of the accomplishments
Dr. Campbell had. To Russ, Denise, and the rest of the family, please know my family and I will be praying for you during your time of grief. Hugs!
Saddened to learn of Karen’s passing. She was a principal that I admired. Prayers for the family.
Très émue à l’annonce du décès de Karen,je vous prie d’accepter mes condoléances sincères et l’assurance de toute ma sympathie à partager avec toute votre famille.Avec mes sentiments reconnaissants.
Denise, Russ, Rocky, Scott, Diana,
No words can express my sorrow. You are all in my thoughts and while you go through this difficult moment, I hope you will find a bit of comfort in remembering that Karen touched so many lives over the course of her life. She was an extraordinary woman and not a day goes by without my thanking her for giving me the opportunity to become an educator.
I loved her dearly and will miss her immensely. I so wish I could be with you at this moment.
My family is joining me to express our most heartfelt condolences.
Love to all of you,
My prayers for Dr. Campbell and her family. I worked as her secretary when she was superintendent in Haywood County. She was always determined to be, do and expect the best for the children and staff. An excellent administrator and dedicated educator and friend. I enjoyed every minute I worked with her.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
(Diana) and all the family. I am so sorry for your loss!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!! Sharon Wright
Diana and family I know your heart is broken and I am so sorry for your loss. What a fine lady Karen has always been. Even from grade and high school at Valley Springs. I know you will miss her.
The greatest gift is Love !!!
With heartfelt and deepest sympathy
Nancy Israel Jervis
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. My husband and I worked for her when she was in Haywood County Schools and I worked in the same office as she. She was a wonderful person and I know she will be missed by many.
I am sad to read about the loss of Dr. Campbell. I worked for her at Haywood County Schools. She was a true lady that motivated me everyday to be a better person and administrator. I admired and respected her deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Condolences to Rocky, Russ, Denise, Scott and Diane as well as the rest of the extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen was a long time friend, a mentor to our children and a great promoter for our education systems. We can never forget her help in getting Estes Elementary School built. We will miss her- and the old ‘bridge club’ now has an empty seat.
Lane and Gail Simpson
Meridian MS
With my deepest condolences. Denise, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My prayers are with the family. Karen was an inspiration to me. She encouraged me to pursue my Masters in Library Science. I worked in Haywood County while she was the Superindent there. Such a fine person and example to all teachers.
My prayers are with the family. I worked for Karen at Estes. She was a
wonderful and caring person to work under. May God be with the family
at this time of their loss.