Vernard Roscoe Harden, age 71, of Dameron, MD died August 8, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, Maryland. Vernard, who was also known as "Vern" or "Bootsie" by his family and friends, was born September 13, 1940 in Staunton, Virginia to the late John Otis Harden and Sedonia Leech Harden.

Vernard is a 1961 graduate of Morgan State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In August 1963, he married the love of his life, Jacqueline A. Cottom in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on August 3, 2012. They resided in Staunton and Charlottesville, Virginia for a few years before settling in St. Mary's County in 1967.

In 1968, he received a Data Processing Certificate from the University of Virginia. He was employed at the Computer Services Directorate on the Patuxent River Naval Air Station with the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Aviation Logistics Command as a computer systems specialist until 1991. He continued his career as a computer systems analyst for FDIC-Resolution Trust Corporation, in Washington, D.C. In 2001, he retired after more than 35 years of federal government service. After retirement, he worked for Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse in California, Maryland in the Kitchen Design Center.

Vernard truly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies included photography, playing the trumpet and piano, riding his bike, fishing, golfing, cooking on the grill during family events, playing chess, and singing in the St. Peter Claver Gospel Choir and the St. Peter Claver Men's Choir. He put the carpentry skills that he learned from his father to good use at home and church. He often built and fixed things for family and friends. He also enjoyed researching and putting together his family tree. He was proud of his accomplishment of locating 500 family members and creating a website that the ancestors of his family could access.

Vernard also enjoyed being an active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. His church family was extremely important to him and he loved the Lord. He assisted with various church and community activities. They included serving as a member of the St. Peter Claver Museum Committee, helping the Knights of St. Jerome with Lenten Dinners, serving as the coordinator of the Chess Sphinxes with the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Village, being a member of the NAACP and taking an active role on the campaign team to elect Elfreda Mathis for Commissioner.

Vernard was also a very proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated into the fraternity at Morgan State College in 1959. In July 2009, he became a charter member of the Leonardtown-Prince Frederick Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he was presented with an honorary award in celebration of 50 years in length of service. It was one of his and the family's most memorable moments.

In addition to his wife, Jacqueline A. Harden, Vernard is survived by the following: his five daughters, including Jocelyn Wimbush (Wayne) of White Plains, MD; Sonia Greene (Darrell) of Upper Marlboro, MD; Vanessa Harden of Waldorf, MD; Celeste Fenwick (Robert) of Ashburn, VA; and Jalisa Harden of Dameron, MD; his twelve grandchildren, including Justine Murray, Charles Graham II, Duwan Wimbush, Daisha Wimbush, Myles Greene, Gabrielle Greene, Janessa Harden, Vernon Harden, Jalante Hall, Dominic Harden, Christopher Fenwick, Jenny Fenwick; his two great-grandchildren including Dexter Street, Jr. and Damari Harden; his brother, John Harden (Dorothy) of Upper Marlboro, MD; his sister Shirley Vaughn of Staunton, VA; and his close extended family members, including Vincent Biscoe (godfather), Joy Rothwell, Jim Hill (best friend), Steve and Dr. Francine Hawkins, Loretta Dove, and a host of sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vernard was preceded in death by his first-born daughter Jacqueline Harden, his parents John Otis Harden and Sedonia Leech Harden, his in-laws Harold DeWolfe Cottom and Edna Owens Cottom, brother-in-law Eugene Vaughn Sr., and a close extended family member, Dexter Street, Sr.


The family will receive friends for Vernard's Life Celebration on Friday, August 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 16922 St. Peter Claver Road, St. Inigoes, MD 20684. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Peter Claver Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Members of the Leonardtown-Prince Frederick Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers & cards are both welcome.

Flower's may be sent to:
St. Peter Claver Catholic Church
16922 Saint Peter Claver Rd, Saint Inigoes, MD 20684

Cards may be mailed to:
The Harden Family
17233 Three Notch Rd.
P.O. Box 17
Dameron, MD 20628