Susan Higgins Garner

Susan Higgins Garner, 72, passed peacefully August 18, 2023, at the Kansas City Hospice House. Susan was born April 21, 1951, to Andrew Jackson Higgins and Joann Brown Higgins in Kansas City, Missouri.

Susan is survived by her husband Alan Garner and son Andrew Alan Garner, of the home; sister and brother-in-law Laura and Jeff Tyler; niece and husband Laura Louise and Travis Strawn; nephew and wife Jackson and Lauren Tyler and their children Rivers and Joanna, all of Kansas City, Missouri.

Susan lived in Platte City, Missouri, until 1964 when her family moved to Jefferson City, Missouri. In Junior High she joined the band, and, following in her father's footsteps, played the clarinet. Music brought her pleasure throughout her life. Her favorite artists included Chicago, Kenny G, Kenny Loggins, Madonna, and Sting.

Upon graduation from Jefferson City Senior High School in 1969, Susan attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, and transferred her junior year to the University of Oklahoma in Norman where she graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Susan went on to earn her Masters of Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Susan taught Second and Fifth Grade Language Arts in the Pod System at Cedar Hill Elementary in Jefferson City, Missouri, from 1974-1982.

In 1982 Susan moved to Kansas City, Missouri. She worked for the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Nurses' Association and Curry Associates Management Company. In 1998 she studied Yoga from Erich Schiffmann and became a certified Yoga Instructor. She taught Hatha Yoga in several studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Her favorite was the Solarium at Country Club Christian Church, where she taught for more than a decade.

Susan was an active member of Country Club Christian Church where she and her husband Alan met. They were married June 2, 1990, in Combs Chapel. In 1992, they welcomed their son, Andrew. Susan was devoted to Alan and Andrew and her church family at Country Club Christian Church. One of her favorite activities was the annual Family Camp in Estes Park, Colorado, where she was riveted by the beauty of the Rockies and the daily devotionals. Susan served as Chair for the Board of Elders and also served on a variety of Committees at Country Club Christian Church. She helped revise and teach the elementary Sunday School Curriculum, volunteered for the Micah Ministry at Independence Boulevard Christian Church, helped restore homes in New Orleans after Katrina and shared cultures and customs on Mission Trips to Africa, India, Honduras and Greece.

Susan's love of learning and sense of adventure led her and her family to a number of destinations including Mexico, Ireland, Mackinac Island and a European tour and river cruise.

A joint Celebration of Life for Susan and Alan, who passed March 9, 2024, is scheduled at 2 p.m., May 31, 2024, in the Combs Chapel at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri, followed by Interment at the Columbarium and Reception in the Parlor.

Donations in Susan's memory can be made to Country Club Christian Church or the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64145.