Katherine L Harding

Katherine Louise Allen Harding, also known as Mom, Ninny, and Nana joined her husband, John David Harding, in Heaven on May 13th, 2026. She lived a long life full of love, joy, and laughter. She was only 21 years old, or so she would say! 

Born in Berea Kentucky, she was the daughter of Claude Tarzan Allen and Bertha Irene Coffey Gipson. She was a devoted wife, sacrificing mother, giving grandmother, and astonishing at all things cooking. She was a culinary master. There was nothing she couldn’t make.  

Katherine loved playing Rook with her family. She loved listening to her husband sing karaoke. David was her own personal Blues Man. Katherine and David spent many summers fishing, and they both could out-catch everyone else. She also loved her flowers, especially her roses. She loved to play games, work puzzles, sew quilts, and watch Days of our Lives and The Price is Right.  

She adored her grandchildren, and her eyes would light up any time they were around. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. She made sure that all the fixin’s were hot and ready for her family to enjoy. Her specialty was green beans and turkey. She would always make a big enough turkey to have leftovers to make turkey hash, a secret recipe that she and her grandchildren loved.  

She was a member of Scaffold Cane Baptist Church. Katherine had a long career at Walmart. She was a former member of The Women’s Industrial in Berea. She was a proud graduate of The New Opportunity School for Women.  

She is survived by her three sons: Terry Wayne Harding of Mt. Vernon, David Lee Harding of McKee, and Micheal Shane Cope (Taylor) of Florida; her two daughters: Karen Michelle Harding Barron (Billy) of Mt. Vernon, and Fancy Harding of Mt. Vernon; her grandchildren: Miranda Dannielle Harding Weaver (Josh) of Berea, Lindsay Katherine Harding of Alabama, Makensay Michelle Harding of Berea, Zacharey Tyler Harding (Desiray Sellars) of Mt. Vernon, Elizabeth Ashley Barron Sparks (Cameron) of Mt. Vernon, Katelyn Grace Barron of Mt. Vernon, John Micheal Cope of Florida, Grabriel Cope of Richmond, and Catcher Cope of Florida; her great grandchildren: Joshua Maddox Lee Weaver of Berea, Abigail Jericho Leann Weaver of Berea, John David Clay (Pete) Harding of Mt. Vernon, Riley Elizabeth Rose Harding of Mt. Vernon, Emberlyn Reagan Aaliyah Harding of Mt. Vernon, Whitley David James Weaver of Berea, and Sawyer Zacharey Wayne Harding of Mt. Vernon; two brothers: Richard Allen of Florida, and Kemuel Allen of Mt. Vernon; and many nieces and nephews.  

She is preceded in death by her husband: John David Harding, her father: Claude Tarzan Allen; her mother: Bertha Irene Coffey Gipson; her two sisters: Karen Sue Allen and Mary Melissa Gipson; one daughter in law: Carey Mae Smith Harding; one granddaughter: Rebecca Lynn Barron; and one great grandson: Braxton Ray Barron.

Visitation for Katherine Louise Allen Harding will be held on May 15th, 5 pm for immediate family and 6 pm for the public, at Scaffold Cane Baptist Church.  

Funeral services will be conducted on May 16th at 1 pm, at Scaffold Cane Baptist Church with Brother James Hardin officiating. Burial will follow at Barron-Harding Cemetery.  

Pall Bearers: Zacharey Harding, Billy Barron, Josh Weaver, Cameron Sparks, Gary Martin, Richard Allen II, and Lavan Evans.  

Honorary Pall Bearers: Terry Wayne Harding, David Lee Harding, Richard Allen, and Kemuel Allen.  

The Marvin E. Owens Home for Funerals is honored to serve the Katherine Harding family.

Obit provided by the family.