Rev. Susan Beth (Murnaghan) Carns

Rev. Susan Beth (Murnaghan) Carns, 72, of White Plains, Md., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born Jan. 6, 1950, in Ridgway, Pa., she is the daughter of the late William L. "Bill" Murnaghan and Bernice Mae (Johnson) Murnaghan. Susan married John Carns in July of 1972 and relocated to the Southern Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., where they resided until her death. As a lifelong music teacher and choir director, Susan touched the lives of many. She earned a degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1971 and began her teaching career later that year at Newport (PA) high school. She subsequently taught music at every level from preschool to Community College in addition to giving private lessons. Having answered the call to Ordained Ministry, Susan was certified as a Diaconal Minister in 1998 and ordained as a Deacon in 2001. Rev. Carns, or Rev. Sue as she was affectionately called by many, was part of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church serving first at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Waldorf, Md., and then at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville, Md. After retiring in 2015, Rev. Carns continued serving at La Plata United Methodist Church. Susan is survived by her husband of 50 years, John R. Carns; their children Andrew, Charles, and his wife Michelle, and Nathan; her sister Sarah; one grandchild, Alexander (Andrew); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In her spare time, Susan could be found reading, working in her flower gardens or helping John organize and conduct youth mission trips as part of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). She leaves a legacy of countless individuals whose lives were touched by her music and shaped and influenced by her teaching and mentoring. A music-filled memorial service will be held to honor Rev. Carns on March 11, 2023, at La Plata United Methodist Church in La Plata, Md. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. with a memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the La Plata UMC Music Program at 3 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata, MD 20646 or to Appalachia Service Project 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601, (asphome.org).