FRANKLIN - Karlene Dolores Runnion, 63, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, following her years-long battle with cancer. Born in Hialeah, Florida, to George Carl and Janet Dolores Moratin Burkhard, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Though Karlene’s occupation was telecommunications for the federal courts, it was music that truly occupied her life. She began playing piano at the age of two, under the tutelage of her great-grandmother, and proceeded through many instructors and instruments, culminating in a bachelor’s in music education from Converse College. However, piano was her first love, and to this she always returned. Through 60 years of dedication, she became a truly accomplished performer, arranger, conductor and composer.
Karlene served as accompanist to the Onion Mountain Quartet. As a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, in addition to her forays as vocal soloist, pianist and occasional organist, she served as choir director, gifting the congregation with her skillful arrangements of the hymns. Karlene was able to grasp the strengths and weaknesses of those who sang with her and recraft the songs to bring out the best in everyone. While she was well-known in the community for her stories, her spark, and even her sarcasm, it is the loss of her musical gifts that will be most keenly felt.
Karlene is survived by spouse, R. Scott Runnion; daughter, Andrea “Andi” Burkhard; sister, Annette Day of Florida; and brothers Jimmy Burkhard of Montana and Avery Burkhard of Oklahoma.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Appalachian Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 81, Franklin, NC 28744 or Noah’s Ark Humane Society, 1239 Old Murphy Rd, Franklin, NC 28734.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.