Josephine Carpenter Harden was born on June 4, 1931, one of the four children born to Woody and Melissa Carpenter. She married Willie Harden in 1952 and raised their family together until his death in 1989. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, adopted mother and friend. Family and friends affectionately knew her as "MaDear", Aunt Jo, Ms. Josephine, and Sister. She will long be remembered for her kind and gentle ways, her generous spirit, and the care and encouragement she gave to everyone she met. She was a member of Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church where she has been a faithful member since her baptism around 12 years old. She served in the choir, Missionary Society, Sunday School (secretary and reader) and was a supporter/participant in various programs and activities. She loved the church, Christian teachings, and gospel music.

Before beginning her work life, she attended Industrial High (now known as A.H. Parker High School). She was an employee of the Bama Company where she retired after 34 years of dedicated and honorable service. Over the years she formed valuable friendships at work and in the community and still maintains many of them through phone calls and visits. After retirement, she continued her gift of service working as a caregiver for an additional 10 years.

She enjoyed gardening and traveling with her "girls" and their families to many locations around the country and throughout the Caribbean, always ready to go to the next adventure. She delighted in family gatherings sharing her love of soul food, bar-b-ques, dancing, laughter, and good music.

She departed this life on July 16, 2024, and was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Harden, her twin brother, Joseph Carpenter, and her sisters Rose Moore and Eloise Hicks.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her three daughters, Sherry (Willie) Brundidge, Rose Hawk Kalala (Apopka, FL), and Landis Harden Hunter; Granddaughters, Shontessa (Andrew) Murray (Dallas, TX), and Ericka Harden; Grandsons, Buyikana (Crystal) Kalala (Charlotte, NC), William Larry (La) Hunter, Ayila (Donna) Kalala (Orlando, FL), Gregory Hunter; Bonus Grandchildren, Phyllis (Steve) Anderson, (Detroit, MI), Phillip (Monica) Brundidge, (Detroit, MI); Great-Grandchildren, Kazambu Kalala, Samiyah Hunter, Kai Hunter, Omoye Kalala, Marion Harden,
and Congo Kalala; Nephews and nieces, Saxton Eugene (Shirley) Hicks, Malcolm Roger Hicks, Janice Hicks and Freddie (Anne) Hicks, Janice (Lee) Davis and Michael Davis (Detroit, MI); Special Family Friends, Leroy and Christine Washington; a host of extended family, former coworkers, lifetime friends, her Sunday school class and church family.