Edna Smith Harding

Edna Smith Harding, 81, left this earthly world for her heavenly home on Monday morning May 22, 2023. Edna was born on January 10, 1942, at the City Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem. Orville S. Smith and wife, Maebelle Fulk Smith, had the good fortune of being her parents. She graduated from Hanes High School and went on to become an employee of Southern Bell Telephone Company where she worked as a switchboard operator.

On September 19, 1964, Edna married Jerry S. Harding, (deceased) in Davis Chapel at Wake Forest University. They began their marriage on Broad Street in Winston-Salem. During their marriage, they were blessed with a son, Andy, and a daughter, Amanda. They relocated to Clemmons, NC and lived their remaining years there actively involved in the community. In 1993 Edna earned an associate degree with Honors from Forsyth Technical Community College in Early Childhood Education. An honor that came with many years of long days of work which started early at Clemmons Moravian Preschool in the morning, dinner in her car, and concluded with her college classes at night.

Edna worked in several areas in her life, but her most lasting legacy will be educating the young, impressionable minds of children; first as a teacher’s aide, then as a teacher, and finally as the Director of Clemmons Moravian Preschool, a role she served in for 25 years. There is no better example of peace and tranquility than on Edna's face as she held a child on her lap while reading them a story. A butterfly garden behind the Preschool was built to honor “Miss Edna” upon her retirement.

Sharing a very special place in Edna's heart is her long relationship with Clemmons Moravian Church. Edna spent much of her time there for Sunday morning worship services, Wednesday night potlucks, making chicken pies, helping decorate for the holidays, candle trimmings and so much more. Edna rarely said, “No,” when there was a need at the church. She was a true servant that lived her life with the highest level of optimism and outreach. She impacted so many people with her joy for life. Thousands of children were blessed to have known Miss Edna.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry S. Harding. She is survived by son Andrew Harding and his wife Lari; daughter Amanda Harding; sister Doris S. Truitt; sister-in-law Ruth Harding Lillie; grandchildren Isaac Harding and Leah Harding; and nieces Sonya Sawyer & Christa Whitesell.

The funeral service will be held at Clemmons Moravian Church on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Christopher C. Thore officiating. We will walk past the butterfly garden where the burial service will follow in the churchyard. After the service, the family will receive friends in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemmons Moravian Church, P.O. Box 730, Clemmons, NC 27012.