Frances Winnifred (Rustin) Harden

Mrs. Frances Winnifred Rustin Harden, age 83, of Santa Claus passed away at Oxley Park Rehabilitation Facility surrounded by her loving family on June 22, 2025. She was born on July 13th, 1941, on her family’s farm and attended elementary school at the New Branch Elementary. She was the fourth of seven children. As a young girl, she attended Edmond Chapel Church of God with her family. She graduated in 1959 from Lyons High School where she was a member of the school choir. She married Bernard Harden on September 4th, 1959, and they were married for 50 years prior to his passing. She gave birth to five beautiful children and dedicated her time to being a homemaker and was heavily involved in their extracurricular activities. The family relocated to Dublin, Ga for about eight years where she volunteered in the PTO and was a Girl Scout Leader. She moved back to Toombs County in 1973 and settled in Santa Claus, Georgia where she served as the First Lady of the City for 26 years as her husband was the mayor. She was a very active member of the Lyons Redcoats Band Boosters and the Bulldog Booster Club for many years.  

She remained a homemaker for several years before beginning her occupational career at Lyons Elementary School as a para pro in the speech therapy program. While at Lyons Elementary, she was instrumental in organizing and volunteering for the annual Fall Festival, particularly the crowd favorite Bingo game. She was then employed at Ideal Pharmacy Floral and Gift shop for over 20 years as a florist. During her time at Ideal, she was heavily involved in community events. She was a regular judge of the Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade where she also was a guest announcer with various Savannah news stations. She served as President of the Lyons Merchant Association where she was instrumental in the formation of the popular “Fabulous Fridays” community events. She cherished her role as wife, mother, “Nana,” sister, and friend and loved to spend time with the people that she loved. She enjoyed cooking and creating delicious meals for her family, especially old family recipes. She was a devout Christian and deeply loved the Lord. She also loved singing hymns with her family and was in the church choir. For years, she attended Lyons First Baptist Church where she was heavily involved in the choir and the youth group, attending multiple mission trips throughout the country. Later, she became a founding member of The Oaks Baptist Church in Lyons, Ga where she continued her devotion to Christ.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Hall Harden; one son, Bernard Alan Harden; her parents, Charlie Hugh and Lillian Rollins Rustin; her siblings: Norma Jean R. Wilson, Bobbie Nell R. Brantley, Mary Ellen Rustin, and Hugh Charles Rustin, her sister in law, Mary Jo Harden Miller, her brother and sister in law, Winston and Delores Harden, and one son in law, Fred Bacon. 

Survivors include her daughters: Denise H. Bacon of Lyons, Dr. Melanie H. McLemore (Mark) of Montgomery County/Beaufort, SC, Jennifer Harden of Santa Claus, her son Rod Harden (Ashley) of Lyons, and one daughter in law: Janet Lee of Plano, Texas. She is also survived by her sisters: Sue R. Grisham of Santa Claus and Faye Rustin of Lyons; one sister in law Christine Rustin of Santa Claus; one brother in law, Erie Miller of Tattnall County; 11 grandchildren: Steve McLemore (Paige), Mary Frances Fulton, Beth Samples (Joseph), Carmen Juarez (Marco), Kevin Burkett (Kayla), Amy NeeSmith (Blake), Becky Christian (Jonathan), Ben Collins, and Luke, Avery, and Wyatt Harden; 18 great grandchildren: Anthony Perez, Bella Juarez, Claudia Espinosa, Blake McLemore, Grace and John Paul Samples, Landon, Lance, Logan, and Ladson Burkett, Harper and Hudson NeeSmith, Aaron, Ada Belle, and Ava Claire Christian, Duke Mead, Kayden MacDonald, and Raylan Collins. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.   

The viewing will be Thursday, June 26th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of The Ron Hall Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 27th at 11:00 a.m. at The Oaks Baptist Church with Pastor Nathan Pittman officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt Moriah Cemetery.

The Pallbearers Include: Kevin Burkett, Ben Collins, Luke Harden, Dan Rustin, Ardie Wright, Jeff Wright, and Rusti Wright  

The Honorary Pallbearers are the Staff at Oxley Park. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Oxley Park Rehabilitation Services for the outstanding love, care, and support provided to Frances and her family. We would like to especially thank our special nurse, Latasha Eason, for the extreme devotion she has shown to our family.  

Written By: Becky Christian (Granddaughter)  

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