Mr. Percy Harding Jr. was born on Dec. 21, 1942, in Sheffield, Ala., and was the first child born to the late Percy Harding Sr. and the late Thelma Long Harding Brooks. His stepfather was the late William McKinley Brooks Sr.
He confessed his belief in Christ at an early age at the Eastside Church of Christ in Florence, Ala. and attended the Sterling Boulevard Church of Christ for many years with his late grandmother, Nellie Mae Long.
Percy received his high school diploma from Burrell Slater High School, class of 1963. He attended Northwest Shoals Technical College and received a degree in air conditioning and refrigeration. He also attended classes at Bowie State College in Baltimore, Md.
Percy’s work ethic was developed early as a child. He was a paper boy for his neighborhood as a child and the early morning route helped to develop his work ethic.
He worked at the Coco-Cola Bottling Co. and Wilson Food Center. Percy was a mild-mannered, kind and loving person with a smile that would melt your heart. To know him was to love him. He was a gentle soul that was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.
Percy Harding departed this life on Aug. 20, 2013. He is preceded in death by his father, Percy Harding Sr.; his mother, Thelma Long Harding Brooks; his grandmother, Nellie Mae Long; his stepfather, William McKinley Brooks Sr.; aunts, Sallie Mae Taylor, Virginia Brock, Earnestine Long, Beatrice McGee, Marilyn Crawford and Delores Long Smalley; and uncles, Harry Long Jr. and Isaiah Long.
He leaves to cherish his memory seven brothers and sisters, Adrienne Harding, Nashville, Tenn., Dr. LaRue Harding (Muriel), Florence, Ala., Dana Harding (Jackie), Gallatin, Tenn., Barbara Brooks (Walter), Florence, Ala., Brenda Cobb (Rucell), Jeffersonville, Ind., William Brooks III, Laurel, Md., Teresa Carter (James), Killen, Ala., Christopher Brooks, Nashville, Tenn.; 11 nieces and nephews, Marcus McDaniel (Euna), Atlanta, Ga., Dorian Madry (DeShawn), Louisville, Ky., Daniel Cobb (Jacquetta), Louisville, Ky., Brandon Cobb, Louisville, Ky., Kimberly and Kristian Harding, Gallatin, Tenn., Justin Brooks, Birmingham, Ala., Joshuadai (JJ) Carter, Huntsville, Ala., Keturah Carter, Killen, Ala., Brittany and Ashley Brooks, Nashville, Tenn.; two great-nephews, Zavian McDaniel, Atlanta, Ga., and David Cobb, Louisville, Ky.; one great-niece, Janell Cobb, Louisville, Ky.; a host of cousin; and special friends, Biscuit and Lula.
Visitation with the family will be Saturday, Aug. 24, 1-2 p.m., at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence, Ala.
The funeral service will be
2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at
Thompson and Son Funeral Home Chapel, Florence, Ala., with
Brother Rucell Cobb officiating.
Burial will be in Ricks Cemetery, Tuscumbia, Ala.
Public viewing will be today, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at
Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence.
Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence, is directing.
