Remembering Ethel

ETHEL JAMES HARDEN was born on July 5, 1948 in South Baltimore to the late, Arthur D. Newman, Sr, and the late Ethel Mae Newman. Ethel was a double blessing to her parents; she was born just a few minutes after her twin sister Ellen. Throughout their lifetime, Ethel and Ellen shared that certain bond reserved for siblings who shared the womb. On January 23, 2021, Ethel was reunited with Ellen, only five months after being apart, coincidentally, they were also born 5 minutes apart.

Ethel was born and raised at 109 W. Henrietta Street in South Baltimore. Ethel and her siblings were raised in a Christian home where values and morals were strongly instilled and encouraged.

Ethel was educated in the Baltimore city public school system. She graduated from Carver Vocational Technical Senior High school in 1966.

As fate would have it, her twin sister Ellen introduced her to the love of her life Joseph Harden, III. "Joe" and Ethel were united in holy matrimony on October 9, 1971. From this union they were blessed with a son, Joseph IV (Jody). Later God blessed them with a beautiful granddaughter, Jordan.

Ethel began her career at Provident Hospital. She went on to further her career at the prestigious, Johns Hopkins Hospital, as a dedicated lab technician, for more than 25 years, before retiring. Following retirement, she began a new career as a private Day Care Provider. She later became a one on one (personal student support) with Baltimore County Public School System. After Ethel, retired from working her additional jobs she became a foster parent, for several years.

Family was very special to Ethel. She enjoyed life and made friends wherever she went. She LOVED to cook, two of her renowned dishes were, potato salad and chicken salad. Ethel also loved flowers, dancing and the Baltimore Ravens. Anyone who knew Ethel, knew she was; Ray Lewis' girlfriend and that Lamar Jackson was her new beau.

Ethel was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur, twin sister, Ellen and brother-in-law, Wesley Harden.

Left to cherish and share her memories are her beloved husband of 49 years, Joseph III; her treasured son, Joseph IV (Nikia); granddaughter, Jordan; two great-grandsons, Nasir and I Jenkins (Charles); mother-in-law, Mildred Harden; two sisters-in-law, Diana Pinkney and Tracy Williams; seven nieces, Wanda, Lisa, Candice, Kenisha, Me'shelle, Brea and Demetria; two great nephews, Gerrard and Rashad; one great niece, Christina; and goddaughter, Kristine; as well as a host of family members (both near and far) and lifelong friends and acquaintances.