Edith Harden Kerlin

Edie, as she was known to her friends, was born Edith Tyler Burnett on March 3, 1927 in McAlpin, Florida, near Live Oak. She was one of eight children born to Jessie and Harry Burnett. In Edie’s high school years, the Burnetts moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she attended Andrew Jackson Senior High. While at Jackson, Edie met the first love of her life, M.C. Harden, Jr. M.C. and Edie were inseparable from the time they met, and she became “Edie my sweetie.”

After a stint in the Navy by M.C., he and Edie were married. Truer partners in marriage the world has never known. Edie worked at the UF Press while M.C. attended the University of Florida. She was his personal cheerleader as he played tight end for the Gators. Edie was a life-long and avid Gator fan from those days forward. After M.C.’s graduation from the University of Florida, the couple returned to Jacksonville and ultimately founded a small family insurance agency. Edie worked inside the office while her husband worked outside. Today, that business is Harden, Jacksonville’s largest insurance brokerage.

Juggling work with motherhood, Edie and M.C. had four children: Paul, Ceree, Donna and Steve. Edie served as school patrol volunteer, PTA President and Sunday school teacher, among other activities. She was always active in school and church affairs as a mom. The family was members of North Jacksonville Baptist Church in those days. Edie also excelled as a homemaker. Thanksgiving Day, Easter Sunday, Christmas meals and birthdays were always a great treat. Unfortunately, she took with her to Heaven her recipe for lemon squares and turkey dressing.

Once their children graduated, M.C. and Edie found great pleasure in golf. They travelled to North Carolina and other venues to enjoy the game. Edie was a member of San Jose Country Club and President of the Ladies of Golf Association. Edie’s two hole-in-one feats were often a topic of discussion at social and family events.

Near and dear to Edie’s heart was Baptist Medical Center. She was active as a member of the Ladies Auxillary. She volunteered as a “candy striper”, enjoying mostly working at the family room waiting desk in the intensive care unit. Edie and M.C. were temporarily separated when he passed away early in their lives. People are extremely lucky to have one love in life like they shared. Edie had the great fortune to find two such loves.

As a relatively young widow, Edie met the second love of her life, Bill Kerlin. Bill had also lost his first partner early in life. Bill shared Edie’s love of golf, the Gators and zest for living. They also discovered a new passion together, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While Bill and Edie were both widowed grandparents, they enjoyed their life like teenagers in love. They travelled to the Grand Canyon, New Orleans and California, among other destinations. They dined out and socialized regularly with a wide circle of combined friends. Although a fine golfer, Bill never caught up to Edie’s hole-in-one count.

In the last few years of her life, due to a variety of illnesses, Edie resided at River Garden. Those illnesses made many activities impossible. However, illness did not separate Bill and Edie. Bill saw Edie every day, even as visitations became difficult.

Edie previously was a member of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Southside Baptist Church.

Edie is survived by Bill and her four children, as well as seven grandchildren: Christian Harden (Stephanie), Ansley Busch (Jim), Blake Harden, Brooke Harden, Brandon Harden, Alexander Harden deBruijn, and Maxwell Tyler Harden. Edie was blessed with a great-grandchild, Mild Corbin Harden, in the last month of her life. Edie is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Her niece Gay Miller was a regular companion throughout the last several years.

Family visitation will be held Monday, January 23, 2012 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11 a.m. in Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 Main Street, Jacksonville, FL.

The family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Harden Cardiovascular at Baptist Medical Center.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808. www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com