Obituary

Karen Cardwell Teel of Kanawha County, West Virginia, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, following a short illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Cardwell Jr. and Loretta June (Dove) Cardwell, and her son, Samuel Bridges Harshbarger.

A true daughter of Appalachia, Karen June Cardwell was born in McDowell County, West Virginia, on August 18, 1951, and moved with her family to Charleston, West Virginia, when she was a young girl. She graduated from George Washington High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Morris Harvey College before working briefly as a high school teacher for McDowell County Schools. Karen started a family of her own in Kanawha County and, after spending time at home raising her three sons, she taught elementary school for Kanawha County Schools for over 23 years, along the way earning a Master of Arts degree from Marshall University.

Karen was an avid reader and author of two award-winning children’s books, Robot Rhymes and Robot Rhymes 2: Making Progress, based on lyrics written by her late son Samuel. She had a green thumb, enjoyed creating and savoring delicious meals, and her hands crafted fine, counted cross-stitch embroidery, including cherished Christmas stockings and bookmarks. Karen adored singing with her sisters and friends and over the years she performed with church choirs and at a variety of events.

Karen loved her family dearly and is survived by her husband of 34 years, Brooks Oliver Teel of Scott Depot, West Virginia; her sons, Rodgers Winters Harshbarger III and wife Kate of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and John Michael Harshbarger of South Charleston, West Virginia; and her three grandchildren, Lucy Clyde Harshbarger, Samuel James Harshbarger, and Evelyn June Harshbarger.

She is also survived by her sisters, Connie Snodgrass of Leesburg, Virginia, Beverly DeBord of St. Louis, Missouri, Nancy Knurek and husband Chuck of Dunbar, West Virginia, Cathy McCue and husband David of Plano, Texas; brother, David Cardwell and wife Laura of Abilene, Texas; eight nieces and nephews, and a host of friends across the Kanawha Valley and beyond.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to the staff of Thomas Memorial Hospital, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Kanawha Place Assisted Living, and Kanawha Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

A memorial service to honor Karen’s memory will be held at 4:00 p.m. on August 18, 2025, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, West Virginia.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Karen may be made to Kanawha Hospice Care or to the Cardwell Family Scholarship at the University of Charleston. Scholarship contributions in the form of check may be mailed to 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304, or made online at www.ucwv.edu/give-now. Please include, “Karen C. Teel,” in the memo line or comments section, respectively.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.