The Life of Ella Harding, 86

Ella Mariah Jones Harding was born June 7, 1930 to the late Emmitt Clark and Alice Buffaloe Jones in Northampton County, North Carolina.

It was about dawn on the eve of Monday, March 20 2017 around 8:45 PM, that the death angel came for the dedicated AKA Sister: Ella Harding, 86 in her home.

Ella learned at an early age to be independent, self-motivating, and self-reliant. She sought ways of educating herself through reading and continued that love of reading throughout her life. A lover of poetry, Ella wanted others to read with clarity, use proper grammar, and write legibly.

After graduating from Northampton County Training School, Ella spent two years at Norfolk State College in Norfolk, VA before graduating with a degree in Elementary Education from Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC. She later did post graduate studies at Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA.

The consummate educator, Ella's teaching career included Allen Chapel, Jackson Eastside, and Squire Elementary Schools. Generous and giving, always thinking about what students needed to be successful, she would provide clothes, shoes, snacks, and anything else she thought they needed. Ella was often assigned to work with the most challenging students, yet left no stone unturned trying to provide the best education for all of her students.

Ella used her skills in teaching, organizing, and writing not only in the schools, but also in her community and church, Roanoke Chapel Baptist in Jackson, NC, where she was baptized at an early age. In 1973, she wrote the history of the Roanoke Chapel Baptist Church in celebration of their 100-year centennial. For over 25 years she directed vacation bible school and subsequently started and directed the Junior Usher Board, served as Sunday School Superintendent, and began the mentoring program "Junior" Superintendent as well as the Sunday School Newsletter. She also served as a missionary and in 2002 was ordained a deaconess at Roanoke Chapel.

Always led by her Christian beliefs, disappointingly, after 38 years of teaching, and now being restricted from practicing her tradition of reciting the Mizpah (May the Lord watch between me and thee) with her students, in March 1992, she chose to retire.

Ella is a charter member of Delta Theta Chapter (Elizabeth City State University) and a charter member of Kappa Iota Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Until her illness, she was active in her sorority, the Elizabeth City State University Alumni Association, Retired Teacher's Association, and American Legion Auxiliary.

In 1960, Ella Mariah Jones married Edward Harding, Sr. who preceded her in death in 2002. Her siblings and their spouses who preceded her are James Jones and wife Viola, Wiley Jones and wife Queen, Thomas Jones and wife Rousmaniere, Norman Jones, Clara Boone and husband Richard, Mary Alice Jones; Sisters-in-law: Virginia Jones, Virginia Bell, and Lula Edmondson.

Ella leaves a legacy of children: Rev. Dr. Edward P. Harding, Jr.and wife Karen, Upper Marlboro, MD, Yolanda Harding Williams and husband Dexter, Raleigh, NC; Grandchildren: Tuere and Edward Harding, III both of Upper Marlboro, MD, Seve, Selvyn, and Sierra Williams all Raleigh, NC; one great grandchild: Jordan, a Brother: Rev. Willie R. Jones, Medford, L.I., NY, one Sister-In-Law: Mrs. Louise P. Jones, Amityville, L.I., NY, Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former students and church family.

Honorary Floral Attendants will be her health care workers. Honorary Pall Bearers will be RCMBC Deacons and Trustees.

There will be a private viewing for immediate family only, Friday, March 24, 2017 at 4:00 O'Clock PM at the funeral parlor.

On Friday, March 24, 2017, public viewing will be from 6 to 8 PM at Chapel Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 307 Railroad Street, Garysburg, NC 27831. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will also delight the family and friends with their honor of her membership.

Sister Harding rests in the comfort of Coleman Funeral Home & Staff...Service That Is Distinctive But Not Expensive...Because WE Care...