Ruby Effie "Cookie" Karschner

With deep love and sorrow, we announce that Ruby Effie “Cookie” Karschner went home to be with the Lord on November 22, 2025. She was born on January 15, 1933, and lived 92 years filled with faith, grace, and unwavering devotion to God and her family. She was born on Sandy Ridge in Cleveland, VA. She was the 11th child of 13 born to Noah and Louise Cook. She is preceded in death by her parents, 5 sisters and 7 brothers, her husband of 38 years Charles Lee “Jim” Karschner, her oldest daughter Carolyn Frances Patrick, granddaughter Jennifer Nichole McKinney, grandson Charles Lee Karschner, and great granddaughter Ariana Roslyn Barber.

She moved to MD where she met and married Charles Lee “Jim” Karschner on May 12, 1952. Together they built a beautiful family who will cherish her memory and carry forward her legacy of love and an unwavering trust in God. Though our hearts ache, we rest in the blessed assurance that she is now in the presence of her Savior, and we will see her again!

As a woman of deep faith, she devoted her days to serving others, prayed faithfully for those she loved, and showed the love and gentleness of Christ in everything she did. Her heart was always open, her hands always willing to work, and her prayers a constant comfort to her family and friends. She touched countless lives of young people as a faithful Sunday School teacher for over 50 years. She directed Vacation Bible School, Discovery Club, Christmas and Easter pageants, and served delicious fried chicken to every pastor/preacher/evangelist that came to her church. Her signature Sunday dinner of fried chicken and delicious side dishes made her home a sought-after place to be invited for lunch. She also enjoyed making beautiful wedding and birthday cakes for friends and family. It was also a treat to be invited to the Karschner home for coffee and home-made donuts. She worked for many years at Elkton Fashions as a presser, and she was an accomplished seamstress. She made prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, wedding dresses, and suits. She also made numerous costumes, quilts, and memorable keepsakes for her children and grandchildren. Her garden was a source of pride in the summertime. She planted, weeded, harvested, and canned the vegetables. She hated to see anything go to waste. She loved making decorative cookies for the holidays. She patiently assisted many of her Sunday School students and grandchildren at the cookie decorating parties hosted at her home. The “cookie” Christmas tree in the garage was decorated on Christmas Eve each year and at the end of the night, each family collected the cookies off the tree to take home to their houses. At Christmas time, her house was the best decorated in the neighborhood. She loved decorating inside and outside to see the look of awe on the children and grandchildren’s faces. Her famous Holly Tree and the front porch Nativity was the talk of the town! 

She is survived by Son-In-Law William H. Patrick (husband of Carolyn) of North East, MD, daughter Charlotte Miller (Rick) of Rising Sun, MD, son Charles Karschner (Theresa) of Greeneville, TN, daughter Connie Henry (Craig) of Strasburg, PA, son Calvin Karschner, Sr. (Joyce) of Perryville, MD, son Christopher Karschner, Sr. (Vicki) of North East, MD, 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

 Family and friends will gather to honor her life and to give thanks for the profound impact she made on their lives. Services will be held at Charlestown Missionary Baptist Church, 1168 W Old Philadelphia Rd, North East, MD 21901. Viewings will be on Friday, November 28, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral will be on Saturday, November 29, at 11 am with a viewing at 10 am. May her memory continue to honor God, whom she so faithfully served!

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, Attn: Building Fund.

 She will be laid to rest in North East Methodist Cemetery.