George Albert “Shake” Harden was born in Natchez, Miss. Nov. 4, 1944 to the late Freddie L. Harden Sr. and Dora Hogue Harden. Shake’s love for his family and enthusiasm for education and community awareness was a driving force in his life. At Sadie V. Thompson School, he developed and cherished lasting relationships with his peers and teachers which continued throughout his life. To his peers, he often addressed them as “classmate,” as a way of showing endearment and familiarity with those he loved. Harden believed in a close knitted community, which was apparent in his relationships at Sadie V. Thompson among his peers and teachers. Eva Brown and Hiawatha Northington are remembered as his favorite teachers who noticed his enthusiasm for education and continuously encouraged him to strive for high achievement in high school and throughout his adult life.
His love for Sadie V. Thompson did not end upon his graduation in 1963. He was an active supporter of the Sadie V, Thompson Era Reunion, and he anxiously anticipated reuniting with his classmates and teachers to laugh and recall past memories while creating new memories.
After completing high school, Harden enrolled at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. It is no surprise that he quickly became involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), the civil rights movement, and the distinguished men of Gamma Pi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. On the Alcorn Campus, Harden’s involvement in his school, education and community outreach grew, as he joined and actively participated in organizations rooted in social progress and justice for all. Many remember him reciting quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X’s powerful speeches, as he inspired his peers at “The Corn” to the call for social justice, while encouraging himself. His love for his hometown and family led him to return to Natchez in 1968, where he became employed at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.
In 1969, Harden was drafted into the United States Military where he served in the army and received a National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; a Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and was honorably discharged in 1971. He was a proud member of the military, which afforded him with another outlet to provide service to his community and fight for social and political progress.
From 1985 to 2000, he served the Natchez community at large and the citizens of Ward 2 as a City Alderman and as Mayor Pro-Tem. Many Natchez citizens recall one of his favorite sayings, “I’m just a phone call away.” Harden understood the benefit of an intelligent leader who was approachable and accessible and unwavering his stance for justice.
His family was at the heart and the core of his life. In 1968, he met and later married Deborah Toles. She, also a native of Natchez, complimented his love for his family and community.
Their union bore three children: one son, Nyanasanu and two daughters, Kamiti and Bahati. He had an older daughter, RaFaye, whom he always loved and talked about.
To know Harden was to know his unconditional love and support for his family, and his enrichment to their lives.
Harden was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Freddie Harden Jr. and Johnnie Harden; and three sisters: Kathryn Wells, Clara Ford and Velma Harden Brown.
He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Deborah Toles Harden; and his children, RaFaye (Kevin) Nesmith of Lancaster, TX; Kamiti (Daslin) Harden-Garcon, DDS of Pooler, Ga.; Nyanasanu Harden of Las Vegas, Nev.; Bahati Harden, M.D. of Shreveport, La.; one brother, Lee Joy (Edna) McCoy of Natchez; a mother-in-law, Vivian Baine Graham and a father-in-law, Tom (Mary Lee) Toles Sr., both of Natchez; four brother-in-laws, Eddie Ford Sr. and Tom (Darlene) Toles III. both of Natchez and Paul (Trina) Tofes of Jackson, Miss.; Tom Brown of New Orleans; five sister-in-laws, Laura Harden, Lolita Kendall and Nicole (James) Green, all of Natchez; Shannon (Mack) Johnson of Raleigh, N.C.; and Thomasha (Ivan) Thornton of South Orange, N.J.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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