Karen Coste

Karen Coste, 75, passed away on December 25,2023 at her home on of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. Her Funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday, January 2, 2024 in the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street at 11:00 am. Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Karen was born on April 19, 1948, in Charleston, South Carolina, the second child of Peter M. and Patricia (Bremer) Dowds.  Her father was a career Army officer and she was raised as an “Army Brat.”  During her childhood she lived in numerous locales including Alaska, France, and Hawaii.  After her father retired from the US Army her family returned to Charleston and Karen graduated from Bishop England High School, Class of 1966.  She graduated from  Winthrop College in 1970 with a degree in Education.  She spent her entire professional career teaching in the Charleston County Schools, first at Fort Johnson High School, followed by her appointment as Assistant Principal at Moultrie Middle School. She finished out her teaching career as Principal of the Charleston Discipline School where she helped numerous students return to a normal classroom environment.  Karen married the love of her life, Henry “Hal”  Coste, on March 21, 1987 and were blessed with their daughter, Charlotte.  Karen’s second great love was her garden and her home on Sullivan's Island was a joy to see.  She delighted her friends and neighbors with her showplace garden.  She loved living on Sullivan's Island and would take any and all on a golf cart tour of the streets and lanes of her beloved island.

Preceded in death by her parents, sister, Christine Dowds Rowland and brother, John Manning Dowds; Karen is survived by her husband, Hal; daughter Charlotte Collias; grandchildren, Henry, “Hanks” and Claire Collias; sisters, Patricia Allen of Anchorage, Alaska and Kathy Dowds of Charleston, SC; brothers Peter Dowds of Blanchard, Oklahoma and Jimmy Dowds of Charleston, SC.  

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle St., P.O. Box 280 Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, stellamarischurch.org/give.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.