Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer

Kramer, Sarah Jane Hardrath, died on September 2, 2006. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin on August 26, 1952 and grew up in Atlanta. Her life was a remarkable journey. Sarah was a graduate of Maryville College, a place she loved and the place where she met her husband Wayne R. Kramer. She received her B.A. degree in art history, which she continued to study in graduate school at Northwestern University. She also received a Masters degree in Art Education from the University of Tennessee. She served for seventeen years as the curator of education at the Knoxville Museum of Art (1980-1997). Under her energetic leadership, the museum developed numerous education programs that enabled students and others in this region to gain better access to and understanding of the arts. She was more recently a member of the museum’s Board of Trustees, serving on the Board’s executive committee; and she was a member of the University of Tennessee’s Chancellor’s Associates. She was also an adjunct instructor of Art History at Maryville College and was a former president of the College’s Alumni Association’s Executive Board. Sarah was active in many other civic and community activities. She served on boards and advisory committees for numerous institutions and organizations, including The Community School of the Arts, the Knoxville Junior League, the Tennessee Art Education Association, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. She contributed her time and talents to Sequoyah Elementary School and the Webb School of Knoxville, where she brought both enthusiasm and efficiency to every event and activity in which she was involved. Sarah was honored with various awards for her leadership in civic and professional groups: the YWCA Tribute to Women in the Arts, a Presidential Citation from the American Institute of Architects/Tennessee Society, an Outstanding Sustainer Award from the Knoxville Junior League, and the Arts in Education Award from the Arts Council of Greater Knoxville. Sarah brought a smile to every event and a special brightness to all the people with whom she worked. She had grace, dignity and optimism, which she maintained even throughout her struggle with a difficult illness over the last year of her life. Above all, she was dedicated to her family, who loved her as dearly as she loved them. Sarah spent countless hours with her family on soccer and baseball fields, at cross-country races, and at church or school events. Her individual and extended family was always at the center of her life. Sarah is survived by her husband of 30 years, Wayne R. Kramer, for whom she was the joy and love of his life; and her two sons, Russell Reitan Kramer and John Reed Kramer; her parents Halbert and Marjorie Hardrath of Atlanta; her sister Sue Hardrath and brother-in-law Sam Troutman of Atlanta. Other survivors include Knoxville area-family members Mrs. R. Arnold Kramer, Roy and Sara Jo Kramer, Jackson G. and Elizabeth Kramer, Steven and Tina Kramer, Sara Gray Kramer; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. A service to celebrate Sarah’s life will take place at the First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville on Tuesday, September 5, at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends after the service at the church. Memorial gifts may be given to the Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer Fund at Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804-5907. Arrangements by McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. www.mccammonammonsclick.com