Denise Irene Harmon

Obituary for Denise Harmon

On June 7, 1955, GOD sent an angel from heaven that the world would come to know as Denise Irene Harmon, and on December 31, 2015, GOD called his angel back home.  Many would refer to Denise’s countenance and aura as being pleasant, calming, comforting, and serene.  In this day and age where unbridled honesty, self-expression, and self-indulgence is applauded, Denise was of a classy, sophisticated, prudent, and even-tempered persuasion.  She truly embodied the characteristics of the virtuous woman depicted in Proverbs 31.

Denise accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior as a teenager.  She served the body of Christ with distinction as a choir director, choir member, soloist, Sunday School Teacher, and in a plethora of different capacities over the years.  But foremost, in keeping with the Great Commission, she witnessed to lost souls and led many to Christ.  Her passion for the unsaved, discipleship, and simply spreading GOD’S love led her to join a missions-related women’s prison ministry called Kairos in the latter portion of her life.  During her most active years in ministry, Denise was a member of Apostolic Faith Temple where Bishop Nathaniel Jordan is the overseer.  Most recently and up until her passing, she was a faithful member of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies where Bishop Sherman Watkins is the overseer.

Denise was a passionate and compassionate educator.  She nurtured the understanding and positively impacted many children as a dedicated teacher at Devonshire Project Adventure Elementary School.  Possessing a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum Instructions from Ohio Dominican University, she taught in the Columbus Public School System for 24 years before recently retiring at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year.  Denise deemed her role of educator as a calling and ministry, not simply a career.  Her impact on young people was felt outside of the classroom as well, as she was deemed a mother-figure by many of the neighborhood kids and her home was deemed their safe haven.  Whenever possible, she would sow seeds of love, encouragement, and affirmation into their lives.

Denise was a loving and devoted wife to her former spouse, Earl T. Harmon, Sr. of over 20 years, and she was an extremely devoted mother to her four children: Melanie, Earl II, Rodney and Jeremy.  Her children would argue with anyone that they possessed the greatest mother in the world!  She was a blessing in many ways and held a special individual relationship with all of them.  While “wild and crazy” at times like any home, the Harmon household was filled with love and infused with the Spirit of GOD – unlike every home.  Denise was the reason for this, and her presence will be sorely missed by her surviving family…

Denise Harmon is preceded in death by her father and mother, Adolphus and Martha Hardgrove; her younger brother, Daniel Hardgrove; her daughter, Melanie Harmon; and her former spouse, Earl T. Harmon, Sr.  Left to cherish her memory is her sister, Diane Saunders; her brother, David Hardgrove; her sons: Earl II, Rodney (Angela), and Jeremy Harmon; four granddaughters: Alicia, Angelina, Malaysia, and Zaila Harmon; and a host of other family and friends. Visitation 6:00pm and Funeral 7:00pm Friday January 8, 2016 at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies 870 St. Clair Ave.