Terry Randall Harding

Terry Randall Harding, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully at his residence in Cottonwood, Alabama, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, following a brief illness. Born on April 13, 1939, in Sylacauga, Alabama, he was the son of Oscar Malone Beane and Harriett Mae Chappell Harding. He was preceded in death by his parents and his 10-month-old son, William “Billy” Allen Harding.

Mr. Harding attended school in Sylacauga, Alabama, Panama Canal Zone and Kittery, Maine, before joining the United States Navy, where he embodied the Navy motto: “Not for self, but for country.” As a chef, he served on the USS Joseph K. Taussig, USS Antietam, USS Northampton, and USS Intrepid, cooking for his fellow sailors both on shore and at sea. Notably, he was honored to bake and decorate a cake for astronaut John Glenn, commemorating Glenn’s return from orbiting the earth in the Mercury Atlas-6 Friendship 7 mission in 1962.

His passion for cooking continued into his civilian life, where he loved preparing meals for his seven children, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. After retiring from the Navy in 1969, he moved to Orlando, Florida, where he became an entrepreneur, owning multiple businesses, including a produce stand, laundromat, and a live lobster distribution company. Later, he pursued his love of travel, working as a driver and eventually an owner-operator in the trucking industry. Mr. Harding retired in 2005 as a dispatcher and settled in Cottonwood, Alabama, enjoying his retirement, family gatherings, mowing with his John Deere, and cheering for Alabama football.

Mr. Harding is survived by his children: Rhonda Lybrand, Orlando, Florida, Susie Johnson (Tommy), Cottonwood, Alabama, Terry Harding, Jr., Cottonwood, Alabama, Timmy Harding (Alyce), Dothan, Alabama, Lisa Baxley (Michael), Malvern, Alabama, Ronnie Sue Nelson, Oviedo, Florida and Christina Nelson (Jon), Cowarts, Alabama. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Melissa Harrison (Shaun), Angela Phillips (Eric), Kristina Gilley (Jeff), Toni Jean Rosa (Manny), William Lybrand (Danielle), Clayton Baxley (Amber), Kaylie McCallister (Blake), John Michael Baxley, Taylor Baxley, Michael Christina Nelson, Mark Nelson, Amanda Nelson, and Elijah Nelson. Additionally, he is survived by his great-grandchildren: Austin Whitehead, Brayden Whitehead, Laura McCardle (Ethan), Jasper Gilley, Isabella Lybrand, Addi McCallister, Jordan Gilley, Blakely Baxley, Kyleigh Baxley, Greyson McCallister, Liam Rosa, and Luke Rosa. Surviving siblings include two brothers, Jerry Paul Harding of Boston, Massachusetts, and William L. “Billy” Beane (Karen) of Sylacauga, Alabama, along with a niece, Tucker Beane, also of Sylacauga, Alabama.

The family will receive friends from 5–7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral service with military honors will be held at Sunset Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024 with Pastor Todd Thorpe officiating. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024 in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Serving as pallbearers will be Austin Whitehead, Brayden Whitehead, Manny Rosa, William Lybrand, Clayton Baxley and Blake McCallister.

The Harding family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Gentiva Hospice, Enhabit Home Health, and the staff of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home for their care and support.