Harriet Bernice Honiston

Harriet Bernice Honiston was born in the Irvington Community of Indianapolis, Indiana on January 12, 1931 to Myron and Margaret L. Blythe. Often called “Bernice” by her family and friends Harriet was the youngest of four children, Rachelle, Kenneth, and Carolynn.

Harriet attended Public School #82 and was recog-nized for her academic excellence. She continued her academic excellence and with outstanding grades graduated from the Crispus Attucks High School in three and a half years.

Harriet was employed by the major drugstores and restaurants in Indianapolis and eventually obtained employment as an assembly worker at the RCA Plant. This employment prepared her for the next level of her career activity. With the help of her big sister Carolynn, Harriet was hired as a utility worker at the Western Electric Company of Indianapolis where she became the first Black Female Supervisor.

During her adolescence years, Harriet was diagnosed with a mild heart condition and was advised by doctors to avoid active sports and bearing children. She was married during the late nineteen forties and again in the late fifties. Well, by God’s Grace, Harriet gave birth to seven children, Sandra, Stanley, James, Roger, Tamari, Sherryl, and Sherri.

After thirty years at Western Electric Harriet retired and along with her husband of over sixty years, Walter Honiston, moved to the warmer climates of Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. They eventually returned to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Under the influence of her mother, Margaret, Harriet, and her siblings were raised and baptized in the Church. Harriet and Walter were devout members of the Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianapolis, Indiana and were Charter members and remained lifelong members of the Womack Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianapolis, Indiana.

HARRIET BERNICE HONISTON leaves to cherish her memories: her Children, James, Sherryl, and Tamari, her Grandchildren, a host of Nieces, Nephew, Friends and Church Families.