Karen Sue (Gifft) Leonard, 73, of Charles Town WV, passed away on August 7, 2021, at her home.

Born November 23, 1947, in Martinsburg WV, she was the daughter of the late Wallace H. Gifft, Sr. and Genevieve Gifft.

Karen was a graduate of Harpers Ferry High School class of 1966. She worked for the Department of Welfare after high school then applied for, and was hired by the Central Intelligence Agency. While assigned to the American Embassy in Amman, Jordan, she met and married her husband, Robert. Karen and her husband to be, an Embassy Communications Officer, took a ten day holiday and travelled to Nicosia, Cyprus where they married in 1981. She gave birth to two children while stationed in Amman, Heather and Sean. Karen resigned from the CIA after she and the family returned to the United States upon completing an 18 month Tour of Duty in Beijing, China. After the children were grown up, she went back to work for Priest Field Pastoral Center for 19 years then retired.

She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert D. Leonard, Jr., who is a retired U.S. Government Employee, and her two children; daughter Heather (Leonard) Barney and husband Roger of Martinsburg, WV, and son Sean Leonard; and two grandsons, Freddy (9) and Jaxson (4), Heather's sons.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her younger brother, Wallace H. Gifft, Jr.

Per Karen's request, there will be no viewing. There will be a private graveside ceremony for immediate family only. Pastor Scott Sassassman of Middleway United Methodist Church, Kearneysville, WV, will be officiating.