Carnes-Harris, Kathy's Obituary
Kathy J. Carnes-Harris, 70, passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Decatur Memorial Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. Kathy was born January 23, 1955, the daughter of Aubrey and Eloyce (Barnes) Carnes in Decatur. She graduated from MacArthur High School in 1973 and along with other classmates was instrumental in the planning of class reunions. After high school she moved to Bloomington with her first husband and earned a B.S. in mass communication with a minor in sociology from Illinois State University. She moved back to Decatur in 1983 and went to work for the radio station Y103. In 1985 she went to work for the Decatur Township Office of General Assistance as a case worker and was part of a group of employees that were successful in getting union representation for the office from AFSCME local 167. In 1988 she gave birth to her first child, Travis. In 1990 she remarried to Charles W. “Chuck” Harris and gave birth to her daughter Chelsey. In 1993 she earned an Early Childcare Certificate from Richland Community College and went to work for Anna Waters Head Start as a home-based educator. She spent the end of her career working for the DPS 61 early childcare program and serving as a substitute teacher in the district. She also enjoyed volunteering for the Northeast Community Fund.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, several aunts and uncles, her sister-in-law Julie Tinney, and mother-in-law Carol Poland. She is survived by her husband Chuck Harris of Decatur; son Travis and his wife Kelly (Conlee) and son Joey, of Pontoon Beach; daughter Chelsey Harris and her husband Mathew Miller, of O’Fallon; brother Dave Carnes and his wife Kay, of Monticello; sisters-in-law Debbie Larsen and Diana Harris, of Decatur; niece and nephews Kathy Miller, Danny Tinney, and Will Tinney, of Virginia Beach, Va.; nieces Kristen Larsen of Decatur and Amanda Hoffman of Florida; several granddogs and grandcats; and many cousins.
Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home is providing cremation services for Kathy. A graveside service will be held at 12pm on Thursday, March 6, in Fairlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Northeast Community Fund or the Macon County Humane Society. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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