Garland Leon Harden, a native of Rockingham County, was born November 7, 1953 to the late Edward Wesley Harden and Octavia Maynard Harden. Early Saturday morning, June 28, 2014 God, in His magnificent glory and infinite wisdom, sent His Angels of grace and mercy to take Leon's saved soul from his tired and weary body to His home in Glory. To the home where Leon walks in standing strong and breathing free.

Leon was shrouded in The Word from birth. His parents and maternal grandparents taught the way a life lived for Christ should be, by living that way themselves daily. He gave his life to Christ at an early age and became a member of Benaja Mount Zion Holiness Church of God, Inc. There at Benaja, he played bass guitar for the Senior Choir, Young Adult Choir and the Male Chorus. Leon was a faithful and passionate member of the Music Ministry. His bass playing, because he was left handed, was an absolutely amazing thing to see and even more so, to hear. Along with some of his awesomely talented friends on lead or bass guitar like; Preston Graves, James Lawson, Antonio Graves, Ronnie Moore, Robert Evans and Preston Pulliam, to name a few and then add piano, tamborenes, drums and keyboard made for some Holy Ghost filled, hand clapping, foot stomping and soul stirring church services at Benaja and sister churches. All, working together for the good, while bringing more souls to Christ.

On July 20, 2002, Leon united in Holy Matrimony with the former Mary Baker. The Lord immediately blessed this union by taking two single parents and blending them lovingly into ONE big family of six. Happily, faithfully, lovingly and proudly, Leon was treasured and nurtured by Mary, to the very end. She said, 'There's no need to even try to find another husband. I don't want one. God especially designed the mold and then shattered it after He made Leon just for me." He lived and died knowing how blessed he was to be loved by her and their family.


Along with his passion for music, Leon loved working beside his dad. He had a gift for math, often keeping the payroll for the farmers Daddy hired. Also, the knack for maintaining and fixing the farms mechanical equipment came naturally for him, just like his dad. And the art of tilling the soil and love for the land was shown time and again through his productive work. Add to this his love of studying The Word, his love for spending time with family, hanging out with his brothers, cousins and friends rounded out the love we all shared with him and his celebrated life.

Leon, sometimes called "Doc, Harden or Co-Chief" to his family and friends, was preceded in death along with his parents, by one sister,infant Lillian Yvonne Harden, one brother, Raymond Harden, and one son Teon Harvey.

He leaves to celebrate his love and memories, his adoring wife, Mary, three children: Leon Jermaine Harden (Tina) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mecole Baker of the home and LiKwan Baker of Danville, Virginia; four sisters: Earlene Blackwell of Reidsville, North Carolina, Juanita Harrison (Samuel) of Durham, North Carolina, Wondia Pinnix (Thurman) of Reidsville, North Carolina and Jacqueline Shackleford (Toney) of Columbia, South Carolina; two brothers; Wesley Harden (Bessie) of Reidsville, North Carolina and Ronnie Harden (Donna) of Reidsville, North Carolina; nine grandchildren: Jermaine, Jamaree and Janya Harden, Shakur ,Shamar, LaTayvia and Chasity Harvey of Danville, North Carolina and Ma'rya and La'miya Baker of Danville, Virginia: three aunts, Leona Hall, Mary Williamson and Ruth Blackwell all of Reidsville, North Carolina; two uncles: Vernon Harden of Greensboro, North Carolina and David Maynard (Barbara) of Reidsville, North Carolina: 61 nieces and nephews, a host of cousins and friends. We grieve YET we Rejoice.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Benaja Mt. Zion Holiness Church of God Inc. with a visitation 1:30-2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Bishop Felecia G. Kellam will bring the eulogy and burial will follow in the Benaja Church Cemetery.

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