Arnette Delores Harmon

Arnette D. Cortner Harmon was born in Dayton, Ohio to the late Artie D. and Gertrude Cortner. She was reared in a loving, nurturing family. It was in this environment that she learned the importance of family and developed many of her talents and skills. She was the middle child of three girls and the sisters had a special bond of love and laughter.

Arnette attended Jefferson Senior High School where she continued to persevere and ultimately became Senior Class President in 1969. She continued her education, graduating from Wright State University in 1973 with a major in English. While working full time and going to school full time, she still managed to pledge and become a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Rho Chapter, on June 13, 1970.

She was later married to the late Dale A. Harmon and this union was blessed with their beloved son, McKenzie. Arnette so deeply loved, respected, and admired her son. She truly saw the best in him. This love continued to grow with McKenzie’s marriage to beloved daughter-in-law Myeshia and grandchildren McKenzie Nicole and Maxton. Arnette would affectionately refer to them as her “family of four”. They were her heart, and she was their “Peach”.

One of her most rewarding experiences was returning to Jefferson Township to teach English to 7^th – 9^th graders. Through her precious time with “her kids”, she was most proud of being coach of the High School’s award-winning girls track team. Although she was never an athlete, she had an eye and method for seeing skill and talent – molding it towards perfection.

After teaching, she went on to pursue a career in the Federal Government where she had 27 years of stellar service. Her service began at San Antonio Air Force Base (AFB) in the area of contract negotiation and culminated in retirement in leadership as an Acquisition Program Manager at Wright Patterson AFB. She was continually sought after as a professional due to her expertise and her excellence.

Arnette was always probing, seeking to be closer to God and His works. She received the Lord at age 9 at Corinthian Baptist Church in Dayton. Her thirst for God was heightened while attending and ultimately joining New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in 2001. As she strengthened her walk with Christ, she eagerly and joyfully served in ministry (including ABIDE and as an altar worker). She also immersed herself in numerous biblical learning opportunities. For approximately 17 years, she served with the prophetic ministry team under the membership of Apostle Sandee Hemphill. This is also where her knowledge of and experiences with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exploded like a ground swell.

Let us all be encouraged and inspired by this life well lived. Young and old have been blessed to listen and glean from Arnette’s wisdom according to the truth of God as demonstrated in her life. God used her to minister to people in all stations of life. There are countless testimonies of Arnette giving and serving in her hope to glorify God. Her life’s service was a testament to Jeremiah 1:9-10 which says, “Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”  As she would often say, “I stay ready, to keep from getting ready.”  May all of us “Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”, Philippians 3:14 (KJV).

Arnette is survived by her son Mckenzie (Myeshia) Harmon; Mother, Gertrude Cortner Duncan; Grandchildren, McKenzie Nicole Harmon and Maxton Harmon; Sisters, Belinda (Clifford) Hall and Rhonda Peterson; Nieces, Morgan Peterson, Candace Hall and Great-Niece Blake Carpentier; Nephew, Julian (Celia) Carpentier

Visitation 11:00 AM and Funeral Service 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at New Salem Baptist Church, 2956 Cleveland Ave. Mask and Social Distancing are required. Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Estates.

Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.