Vera Marie McAlister Harden

Vera Marie McAlister Harden of Jacksonville, died March 2, 2011 at the age of 90. She was born July 23, 1920, on Linker Mountain, near Dover, in Pope County, Arkansas. Vera and her family moved by train when she was just three to Gum Springs, Arkansas where she and her parents, four sisters, and two brothers lived on a farm which is still in the family. While work on the farm was hard, the large family enjoyed life and each other. Singing and playing the guitar with her father and sister were an important part of her life. Sometimes the entire family would sing together after the work was done. As a young woman, Vera worked in Jacksonville as a "detonator gal" at the Arkansas Ordinance plant. Then later she worked at Timex in Little Rock. After WW II ended, Vera met and married Parker Harden, with whom she made her home and raised their daughter, Aundra Kay in Jacksonville. Vera enjoyed planting a garden, growing flowers, canning jams, jellies, and vegetables. She was an excellent seamstress and had many other creative outlets which she pursued. She always liked having pets in her home and was especially fond of dogs. Vera is survived by her daughter, Aundra Harden and a brother, W.B. McAlister, as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Her parents, W.T. McAlister and Nellie Beaumont McAlister, her husband, Parker Harden, and an infant daughter, Faralene preceded her in death. Other family members who have already passed are siblings; Berta Jewel Stephens, Imogene Wheat, Opal Moye, Margaret Dillon, and William "Leo" McAlister. Special thanks are extended to the caregivers at Searcy Healthcare, many of whom became like family to Vera during her last years. Visitation will be from 12:30 until 2 p.m., March 5, followed by the funeral service at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Weather permitting the service will be graveside. For those who desire memorials can be made to the Nixon Library, 703 West Main, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. Arrangements are by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home 501-982-2136. Please sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.