Evelyn Kalora Osteen Harden, ended her difficult and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at her home, where she resided with her son, Richard and his wife, Melissa. Born November 17, 1920 in Mobile, Alabama, the youngest of four children to UL and Della Grider Osteen, she was given the nickname “Bebe,” as her next older sister could best pronounce “baby.” At 97 years of age, she outlived most of her dear friends and the family of her generation; brother, Henry L. Osteen; and sisters, Vashti Thayer and Norma Martin. In 1937, she married Joseph T. Harden Sr., the love of her life, who passed away in 2002 after 64 years of marriage. Joseph often truthfully stated that he married “the prettiest girl in south-central Alabama,” to which she would answer that she married the “smartest man.” They had two sons, Joseph T. Harden Jr. (Sidney) of Ruther Glen and C. Richard Harden (Missy) of Mechanicsville. In addition, they had nine grandchildren, Kristy Harden, Kassi Bausone (Tony), Kayley Taylor (Phil), Rick Harden, Jeffrey Harden (Angela), Joe Harden, Stella Harden, Doug Tweedy (Michelle) and Casie Hanson. The grandchildren delighted to claim they loved her the “mostest,” bringing a response, “I love you to the moon and back.” Bebe lived to have six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by her beloved nieces, Norma Pouncey and Linda Moorman of Montgomery, Alabama; and nephew, Earl Martin of Beatrice, Alabama. The family is grateful to Carmene Greene, Sarah, Wanda and Crystal for their devoted love and care. During her life, she found a great passion for doll making and through years of self-taught crafting, she developed a reputation as a master doll artist, winning many awards for her fine porcelain dolls. For a number of years, she owned and operated a shop at Mixie’s Antiques, selling dolls, jewelry creations and collectibles. Another joy was her years-long service to Fort Lee Baptist Church, singing in the choir and playing piano for the Philathea Class. A graveside service at Washington Memorial Park is planned for Friday, June 22, 2018, at 11 a.m., a 12 noon visitation and 1 p.m. memorial service at Fort Lee Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to Bon Secours Hospice Foundation at https://www.bsvaf.org/makeagift or the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office;
Make checks payable to HCSOF and mail to the following address:
Hanover County Sheriff's Office Foundation
c/o Ms. Nancy B. Scott
PO Box 40
Hanover, VA 23069
in gratitude for the services provided to elderly residents of Hanover.
