Ms. Augusta Harden

Augusta Harden was born in Pleasant Ridge, Alabama to Mary Elizabeth Rice Hughes and Charles Hendrix Hughes. She was one of thirteen sisters and five brothers. Charles Hughes was a rancher, and Mary Elizabeth a teacher. Land was important to Charles and he spent his life acquiring acreage until the property encompassed several thousand acres. The family valued strict discipline, hard work, education and God. Each child was taught the “Golden Rule.” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Augusta graduated from Tuscaloosa Training High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and then attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Augusta traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to support her sister Julia and her daughter, Mary Louise Hafley (Mary Louise Hafley died September 29, 2006). After Julia’s husband died fighting abroad during World War II, Augusta stayed in Cleveland. She worked at World Publishing Company as a gold-edge inspector for twenty-one years. Augusta married William Harden and while the couple did not have children, they enjoyed the love and companionship of many nieces, nephews and other family members. The couple also enjoyed traveling, good eating, visiting family, friends and gardening. William died February 8, 1983. Family was very important to Augusta and she was very proud of the Hughes and Rice family. Greene County dedicated a street, Charles Hendrix Hughes Parkway, to the memory of Augusta’s father, Charles Hendrix Hughes, for his service to the Alabama community in 1992. All of the brothers and sisters attended college and many of Augusta’s siblings were educators. The siblings children also excelled and have had significant accomplishments. Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the 66th Secretary of State, is a niece of Augusta. Dr. Rosa Ann Smith, former Superintendent of the Columbus, Ohio City Schools and currently the President of the Schott Foundation for Public Education in Boston, Massachusetts, is a niece. Dr. Herman Hughes, a nephew, is Dean of the Computer Science Department at Michigan State University. Family members touched all career fields from NBA basketball, NFL football, nursing, agricultural and computer engineers, lawyers, college professors, teachers, opera singers, presidential political appointee, Air Force Major, and a mayor. Each year the extended family enjoyed reunions held throughout the country. Augusta joined Heights Christian Church when Rev. Pennybacker was the presiding minister. She enjoyed the meaningful sermons he preached and had been faithful member in good standing until her death. Augusta retired February 1984. During her retirement years, she enjoyed spending time with family, reading, embroidering, gardening and helping others. Her garden was a source of pride and joy to her. It was a showcase of beautiful flowers, plants and vegetables.

Ms. Augusta Harden

March 14, 1919 - April 7, 2017