Billye Sue Harden

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Adams Harden, and is survived by her son, Charles Thomas (Sacha) and their daughter Evelyn, as well as step-sons Adam (Stephanie) and their children Solon, Addison, and Tanner; and John (Liz) and their children Michelle, Lyndsay, Alex, and Max, all of whom she loved dearly.

She is also survived by two sisters, June (Don) Chapman and Carolyn McMichael both in Louisiana, as well as two nieces in Texas, one niece in Mexico, and a nephew in Virginia.

Moving to New Orleans in the early 1960’s, she discovered a love of good food and cooking; her life-long friend, the incomparable Lana Duke; and later, Charles Adams, in his 1966 red Mustang convertible, whisking her from Lafitte’s and a dreadful blind date and into 52 years of wedded bliss.

She was previously an active volunteer for Hyde Park Preservation and Tampa Preservation; at her sons’ schools (St. John’s Episcopal, Jesuit, & Tampa Prep); and various civic organizations.

For many years she managed Harden Marine, a surveying and consulting business, and was otherwise active and well-known in Tampa’s maritime community.

Her interests were family, friends, genealogy, and traveling. She treasured her daily calls with her sisters to compare notes on the Times crossword or the Final Jeopardy question and, in her final years, visits with her dear Evelyn.

Funeral mass and interment will occur at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa on February 18, 2023, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Church.