Gwen Black Harden, 72, of Winnsboro passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Born in Lindale, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Johnson Thomas and Betty Sue Smith Black.
She is survived by her two sons, Hydrick Harden (Troy McIntyre) and Smith Harden (Meredyth); her sister, Candi Black Mitchell; and two grandchildren, Emerson and Walker. She is also survived by her beloved aunt and uncle, cousins, and nieces.
In addition to her parents, Gwen is predeceased by her husband, Heyward Hood Harden, and sister, Ruthanne Black Anderson.
Gwen graduated from Russellville High School in Russellville, Kentucky, and later received her degree from Winthrop University. She had recently retired in January from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice after thirty years of service to the community.
Gwen moved to Winnsboro in 1977 to begin her career at Uniroyal and quickly made Winnsboro her home. She was a charter member of the Winnsboro Garden Club and a current member of the Anemone Garden Club. She was a former member of the Board of Fairfield County Disabilities and Special Needs, Friends of the Library, and an active member of First United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed volunteering for the Fairfield County Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels Program. Her impact on Winnsboro reached far and wide, and it is difficult to capture how much she loved this community and how much she was loved in return by her many close friends and confidantes.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 1, 2024, at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall.
Memorials may be sent in Gwen’s memory to First United Methodist Church of Winnsboro or the Fairfield County Council on Aging.