Paula Ferrell Harding

Paula Ferrell Harding, 95, born on October 1, 1917 passed away on August 28, 2013. Born in Bainbridge, GA, she grew up in Cairo, GA, and attended Valdosta State University and graduated from Jacksonville University in 1969 and later worked on her Master’s Degree. She enjoyed her career in public relations and journalism and wrote for the Methodist Publishing House and was a columnist for the Jacksonville Journal (Girl Scouts Along the Gateway Trail) 1950-63 and Florida Times-Union (Me and my Bible) 1961-78 and was a free lance magazine and travel writer for Florida Times-Union. While Public Relations Director at Florida Community College Jacksonville, Mrs. Harding founded and coordinated FCCJ's Widowed Persons Program. Widow of Ed Ferrell, Jacksonville jeweler and widow of Commander Charles F. Harding, Jr., US Navy, she traveled extensively with both husbands. She traveled with Kent State University's trip to Communist China and met Cmdr. Harding through their mutual interest in China. While a boy he lived with his family in Wuhan, China where his father was in command of the US Navy go-down on the Yangtze River. Together Cmdr. Harding and his wife participated in a People-To- People Tour of China Organization funded by President Eisenhower for peace. They visited friends in England, Switzerland and Italy made through People-To-People and friends in Yorkshire Mrs. Harding made during an FCCJ exchange study program. They toured countries in Europe and took a long cruise on China's Yangtze River. Mrs. Harding was a life-time member of the Jacksonville Branch National League of American Pen Women (professional writers), president of the Gateway Girl Scout Council, member and Sunday school teacher of Riverside Park United Methodist Church. At Riverside Park, she served on the boards of the Child Care Center and the Riverside Park Apartments and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. Mrs. Harding held membership in Garden Club of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Symphony Guild, WOJAM and Jacksonville Art Museum, American Heart Guild, Jacksonville Historical Society and Cummer Museum. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.

She was dedicated to family and friends and enjoyed doing for others. Survivors include daughter Janne Ferrell Brandenburg (Jody), son John Ferrell, grandchildren Dale F. Linder (Ronda), Lorelei Raymond, Joel Brandenburg (Ana), Elizabeth Reed (Will); great grandchildren Drew, Dale Jr., Joseph III, Emma, Brooke and Grace; sisters-in-law Mrs. Orin Mead, Whittier, CA and Mrs. J. Marvin Sapp, Valdosta, GA.; nieces Carolyn Shelfer, Cairo, GA and Mary Toop, Toni Penuel and Yakima, WA, Kathi Lasich of Yakima, WA and nephew Bill Roberts of Yakima; and many friends. Mrs. Harding, together with Cmdr. Harding until his death, was a resident of Cypress Village.

The family will receive friends for the visitation on Friday, August 30, 2013 from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening at The Oaklawn Chapel. Mrs. Harding will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery beside her husband Ed Ferrell. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at eleven o'clock in the morning at The Oaklawn Chapel followed by a reception at Oaklawn. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family.