Norma Jean (Kennerly) Harden, also known as Jean, daughter of the late Benjamin F. Kennerly and Frances (Rowe) Kennerly, was born on April 15, 1934, in Decherd, Tennessee. She peacefully departed this life and went on to be with the Lord on April 4, 2023.
She received her early education at Prairie Chapel School and graduated from Townsend High School, Franklin County, Tennessee. After graduation, Norma Jean briefly moved to Indiana before eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio, where she briefly attended college. Norma Jean spent many years as a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 880, working as a waitress at Marshall’s and later Cunningham’s Drug Stores in downtown Cleveland before joining The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services as a Clerk in the Unemployment Office.
Norma Jean quickly rose through the ranks and retired as a Claims Examiner III after 28 years of service.
Norma was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, Herman, who preceded her in death. From this union, they had two children, Herman Jerome, and Regina. Jean and Herman loved to make each other laugh and together they made homemade wine every year from the grape vines that grew around their house. Herman often teased her that try as she might, she could never make biscuits with sausage gravy as good as her mom’s, Ms. Frances.
Norma Jean was a member of St. Paul’s UMC and served in the United Methodist Women’s Ministry. She enjoyed bowling and playing cards, and she especially loved playing BINGO. Later in life, she enjoyed going on casino trips, reading novels, and doing word seek puzzles. She was known and loved for her ability to never meet a stranger and to make everyone feel welcomed and at ease.
Norma Jean leaves to cherish her memory: children, Herman Jerome, and Regina; sisters, Virginia Askins, Joana Betts, and Linda King (Bobby); brother, Reynolds Kennerly (Patricia); grandchildren, Breon and Brandon (Amanda); great-grandson, Kairo; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Lovingly Submitted, The Family.