Alpha "JoAnn" Harden

Services for Alpha JoAnn Harden, 81, of Flint, will be held on Monday, May 9, 2016, at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church Gresham with Rev. Darrell Wise and Rev. Brandon Holiski officiating. Burial will follow at Flint Cemetery in Flint under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Harden passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Tyler. She was born November 21, 1934 in Rusk County to Hadley and Thelma Pilkinton Kelsey. JoAnn and her family lived in Rusk County until her graduation from Gaston High School, where she was a twirler. She then moved to Atlanta, Texas where she met the love of her life, Eddie, and they were married on August 18, 1954. Soon after they were married, they moved to Germany and lived for three years because of Eddie’s service in the military. While there, their daughter was born. The military returned them to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina military base and after discharged they moved to Houston for a short period of time and then settled to Flint where she was a homemaker. Her passion was spending time with her children and grandchildren and she enjoyed being supportive in their activities. She was also a loving wife to her husband and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. JoAnn was very active in her church, First Baptist Church Gresham, where she held various positions throughout the years, never meeting a stranger. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Rachel Harden; three brothers, Gene Kelsey, Dean Kelsey, Neal Kelsey; and two sisters, Erma Williams and Shirlene Smith. She is survived by her loving family including her devoted husband of 62 years, Eddie Harden of Flint; her daughter, Sharron Wetch and husband Al of Brazoria Texas; her sons, Ricky Harden of Longview, Randy Harden and wife Sherri of Tyler and Rusty Harden and wife Amy of Sulphur Springs; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers Gaba Kelsey and wife Betty Kelsey of Tyler, Jerry Kelsey and wife Sally of Henderson; and sisters, Joan Baggott and husband Lee of Hudson, Florida and Carolyn and Tommy Fears of Tyler. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Destin Muntzell, Robert Lee Hammond, Drew Harden, Jake Harden, Bailey Harden, Mikey Wetch, and Bryce Harden. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters, Brooke Harden and Taylor Harden. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701 or Building Fund of First Baptist Church Gresham, 16844 CR 165, Tyler, 75703.

Alpha "JoAnn" Harden

November 21, 1934 - May 5, 2016