Josie Lou Harden

After the family moved to Indianapolis in 1943, Josie attended Indianapolis Public School #42, graduated from Shortridge High School, and attended Butler University.

While Josie was baptized at Phillips Temple CME Church, she converted to Catholicism when she married Paul G. Harden Sr. in 1959. From that union, two children were born: Michael David and Stephenie Michelle.

Josie was a longtime faithful member of St. Rita Catholic Church of Indianapolis, which she loved and referred to as the "prettiest church in the city."

Josie was a fantastic caregiver to her children, nieces, nephews, and the community. There wasn't a pair of pants she wouldn't hem. There wasn't a child Josie didn't rock to sleep. And there wasn't a seven-layer salad or a homemade card she couldn't flawlessly design. She was the ultimate mother, sister, daughter, and friend.

In 1967, she took her skills to the Indianapolis FBI office, working as a file clerk. She was promoted to Office Services Supervisor and retired from that position in 1997. During her tenure, she received several commendations and awards, including "Miss FBI."

In her retirement, she was an active and loving grandmother, taking care of her grandchildren James, Nina and Ethan. Josie poured love into them daily, often referring to this period as her "Golden Time."

After her grandchildren started school, Josie enjoyed her retirement by staying active and traveling. She took train trips to the East Coast, the Pacific Northwest, the southern parts of the United States, and a cruise to Alaska. Always one to help family, she even came out of retirement for a few years to work as the Office Manager for her nephew, Mark Webster's business, Real Taste Catering.

Everyone saw Josie as family, calling her "Aunt Josie" or "Mother Harden." Her beauty, kindness, grace, and unconditional love were felt from her home and beyond.

Josie Lou Harden departed this life on April 9, 2025, at 86 years and 10 months old.

Josie leaves to cherish her loving memory to her children, Michael David Harden and Stephenie Michelle Johnson; grandsons, James L. Johnson IV and Ethan Michael Johnson; granddaughters, Sydney Lauren Johnson and Nina Rae Harden; sisters, Jean Evelyn Webster, Zula Ann Barnett (Michael), and Mary Helen Jones (James); brother, Tommie Blaine Terrell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Marshall Terrell Jr., James Robert Terrell Sr., and Wilson Terrell Sr.; her sister, Nina Louise Cooper; and her former husband, Paul G. Harden Sr.

Josie Lou Harden will be fiercely missed, and each of us will carry on her light, love and legacy.

A visitation for Josie will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Rita Catholic Church, 1733 Dr Andrew J Brown Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 PM.