Joe Henry Harden

Sunset – Joe Henry Harden, beloved husband of Mary Hinkle Harden, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born on September 10, 1944 to the late Ruby Adams Webb. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens. He lived a lifetime of assisting others, beginning with his service in the U. S. Army Military Police and graduation from West Point. He was employed by Easley City Police Department as a uniform patrol officer and detective and with Greenville City Police Department, where he served as a uniform patrol officer and detective in white collar crime specialist. He was recognized as Police Officer of the year for Greenville Police Department in 1981, 1983, and 1984. He received a special recognition award in 1988 by the agent in charge of the SC Office of the FBI. The next twenty years, 1987 to 2007, were spent with Canal Insurance Company as a special investigations unit manager. From 2007 to 2010, he was employed with Carolina Causality Insurance Company as fire and theft claims supervisor. Joe was currently employed with Heavy Salvage and also served as associate municipal judge for the City of Easley, SC, Director of Pickens County Youth Court and as Pickens County School System hearing officer. He was also a Pickens County Reserve Deputy. Joe was the first male member of the Insurance Women of the Piedmont, who presented him with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award of Excellence. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and pets. His hobbies included golf, and restoring classic cars. Survivors include his wife, Mary Hinkle Harden, daughter, Michelle Garrett and husband Scott, nephews reared in the home, Jon and Justin Hinkle, granddaughters, Abby and Hannah Garrett, sisters, Bessie Webb, Ruth Webb and Sylvia Owen, brothers, Teddy and J. L. Webb. In addition, Joe is survived by a loving and caring brother-in-law and wife, David and Cindy Hinkle and friends, Phyllis Harden, Gail Strickland, and Wendell Hunter who considered Joe a mentor. The family wishes to thank the staff of Bon Secours St. Frances Cancer Center, St. Frances Batson Cancer Center, Gibbs Cancer Center and Pruitt Hospice for their dedicated care. Visitation will be held at Dillard Funeral Home on Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 12 to 1:45 PM with a graveside service following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens at 2 PM. A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 309 East Cedar Rock Street, Pickens, SC 29671. Dillard Funeral Home Pickens, SC