Roslyn Manget Atkinson Harden died Sunday morning, December 27, 2009 after almost 20 years of living with Parkinson’s disease and related physical challenges. Her courageous and determined spirit inspired many around her, including her children and grandchildren as well as the caring staff at her last home. She was dedicated and actively involved in loving and serving, both as a mother and within her community. Charming and with a sense of humor, classy yet also spunky, she excelled at scholarship, leadership, athletics, and service during both her Newnan High School (1945) and Wesleyan College (1949) experiences. Along the way, she developed rich friendships that lasted a lifetime. While a member of Emory Presbyterian Church for 57 years, she served as deacon, elder, and President of the Women of the Church as well as singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, joining in mission work, and praying faithfully with “the lunch bunch”. Her community volunteer work included service with the DeKalb Medical Society Auxiliary, Decatur-DeKalb Junior Service League, the Open Door Community, and Christmas International House. In addition, she had the privilege of being part of the 1996 Olympics and assisted five years with the Peachtree Road Race. Her children and grandchildren will forever be grateful for her devotion, sacrifices, and encouragement as a mother and grandmother. Ros’s warm smile, caring heart, and the light of her faith will long be remembered because she was loved by many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Atkinson of Newnan and Decatur, GA, her sister Jesse Manget Atkinson, and her grandson Joseph Benjamin Harden of Macon, GA. She is survived by her sister Harriet Atkinson Curtis of Fort Valley, VA and four children: Roslyn Harden Scott and husband, Randy, of Duluth, GA; Laura Harden of Atlanta, GA; Timothy Harden III and his wife, Lori, of Macon, GA; and C. Reid Harden of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kelsey Scott, Rachel Harden, Jessica Scott, and Taylor Harden. A memorial service will be held at Emory Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA on Wednesday, December 30 at 11 a.m., and the family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall afterward. A graveside service will follow in Newnan, GA at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Ben Harden Memorial Fund, 5671 Calvin Dr., Macon, GA 31210 or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY or www.pdf.org .
