Mrs. Kristin Elaine Meyer Warner, 78, retired school teacher of Cumberland County Public Schools, passed away at Centra Southside Community Hospital, Farmville, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. She was born in Freehold, New Jersey on Feb. 3, 1939. Kris is survived by her husband of 57 years, Stanley Foster Warner of Cumberland County; son Dirk Laros Warner of Cumberland County; daughter Karin Jenette Warner of Buckingham County; brothers William Laros Meyer of West Rupert, Vermont and Karl Henry Meyer of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Jane Wesley Taylor-Warner; son-in-law Thomas Martin Gibson; as well as many nieces and nephews. Kris was predeceased by her parents U.S. Congressman William Henry Meyer and Bertha Margaret Laros Meyer formerly of West Rupert, Vermont.

Mrs. Warner taught 4th grade-6th grade for 30 years at Cumberland County Public Schools. She was a 1960 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA, with a degree in Sociology. She also attended Goucher college in Towson, Maryland as the Northeast Regional Scholar from 1956·58. Mrs. Warner grew up in West Rupert, VT, graduating as valedictorian from Washington Academy Public School, in Salem, New York in 1956. She gained a lifelong love for learning and education stemming all the way back to her early years attending a small two-room schoolhouse in West Rupert.

While Kris was a student attending Goucher College, one of the highlights of her young adult life was to visit Sagamore Farm and meet the great “Grey Ghost” racehorse, Native Dancer, who she first watched race at Saratoga Race Course near her hometown. Throughout her life, Kris, an avid horse lover, always believed that Native Dancer, whose stride equaled that of Secretariat, might have crossed the finish line before “Big Red” if only they could have pounded the turf together.

Kris’s love for animals and people was boundless and she steadfastly believed in the intrinsic equality of all beings. Her personal motto was “look for the possible good” and her love and respect for all life was evident in the way she cared for those who were blessed to cross her path. She loved and sought the best from the children she met in the classroom, and she worked tirelessly to provide a secure and happy life for the many adopted, stray, or abandoned animals who found themselves in her barnyard or on her doorstep. She once even performed CPR on a drowned baby chick who went on to live a long and happy life.

Throughout her 78 years, Kris also rescued and fostered many orphaned baby mammals and birds. Caring for those in need was always her great gift.

Later in life even after she became physically handicapped herself, Kris never turned away from helping others who needed her care. .

God clearly knew that Kris was among those to call on to pass along a kind word or a caring action. She was beloved by her family and the many students whose lives she touched, and though her passing will be hard-felt by those she leaves behind, her loved ones find great comfort in the faith that she has reunited with many other dear ones who passed before her.

The Earth is better off for her having passed over it, and Heaven has now gained another angel to fulfill the next assignment.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to a humane organization or charity of choice. Mrs. Warner’s family also would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers who provided aid and comfort during her time of need. Cards or remembrances may be sent to the family in care of Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, who is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.