Deacon Edward "Sugarpie" Harding

Early Monday morning, the second day in the month of February, God saw fit to call Deacon Edward Harding, (Sugar Pie, Granddaddy, Pop Pop, Shug) home to rest from his labor on earth. Edward was the third oldest son of six children born to Nathan and Frances Harding, four boys and two girls. Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Frances Harding, as well as three brothers: Leroy Harding (aka Pole Cat), Nathaniel Harding, Sr. (aka Rat), and Milton Harding (aka Milt); one sister Rebecca Gatling (aka Bunny), Grandmother Mary Siler, two uncles, Lee Junior Siler, Earl Siler, and aunt, Marie Duke. Yes, They all had “nick” names. Edward was a proud member of the I.C. Norcom High School Class of 1967. He always enjoyed class reunions and catching up with old friends. Edward was blessed to work in several occupations with General Electric, Canon, Gwaltney, and his place of retirement, Howmett. Although he worked the evening shift and had to travel on the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge, he enjoyed his time there as well as his colleagues, whom he stayed connected with after retirement. His last job with Portsmouth Public School System as a crossing guard brought him so much joy. We enjoyed and laughed about the antics of the students on his crosswalks. He had a special something that drew the kids to him. Maybe it was the candy that he always had in his pocket for them. During family dinners, he would say “I can write a book about everything that I see our there.” It brought us great joy when he shared those stories. Sugar Pie and his family grew up in Jeffrey Wilson Homes. He and his siblings made lifetime friends. Rat, Pole Cat, Milt, and Sugar Pie were known as “The Harding Boys.” The were cool and so were their friends. Everyone in the housing complex knew them. Quiet as its keep, Sugar Pie was a sportsman and fisherman. He played on basketball, baseball, and bowling teams. It was nothing uncommon for the whole family to go to the ball field behind Douglass Park Elementary, or the nearest bowling alley. He was good at these sports too, so we had several big trophies around the house. When it came to fishing, Sugar Pie and his fishing crew had a special finesse with the fish. They would bring tons of fish back, clean them on the back porch, and cook them on the brick fire pit in our back yard. Our cookouts brought both sides of the family together and lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Sugar Pie also loved the Norfolk State University (BEHOLD!). For practically every home game, it was a pilgrimage for the family to get up early while Lynn cooked fried chicken that was wrapped in foil with a slice of white bread). When the family arrived at Foreman Field, and he spotted his crew, that made those footballs games that much better. A few years later, he retired to sports on the Play Station. Golf, football, baseball, were some of his favorites. We knew he was winning when we heard him yelling. We also knew when he lost because we heard him yelling. In 1970, Sugar Pie married Lynn Nesbit. There union produced three daughters: Susan (Bunny), Donna, and Nicole. It was hard being the only male in a house of four women trying to carve out bathroom time. When the door was open that was your chance to dash in before someone beat you to the punch. The family traveled every summer to a different destination for vacation that included a caravan of his friends. He enjoyed hanging with the “fellas.” Sugar Pie and Lynn became proud grandparents when Markeil was born in 1998. Following right behind him was Darius in 1999. Of course, they were special because he was the only man in the house. It brought him great joy to spend time with them doing “boy” things. In 2008, the family received a surprise by the way of Kennedey. Her granddaddy was so proud of her and loved her unconditionally. He was her “Pop Pop.” Sugar Pie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lynn, three daughters, Susan (Bunny), Don, and Nicole; three grandchildren, Markiel, Darius, and Kennedey; a sister, Francine Harding, two sisters-in-love, Fran Faulk (Willie) and Joann Hill, one brother-in-love, Timothy Nesbit, one uncle, Raymond Siler (Levertha), special friend Nate Brooks, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and framily (friend+family). He will surely be missed by his church family, Noble Street Baptist Church, were he has served as a member, usher, Sunday School superintendent/assistance superintendent, Camp Outreach, Homeless Ministry, Deacons Ministry, van driver. When Sugar Pie accepted the call of God on his life, he did not waste anytime serving our Master. We are grateful to God for lending us a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to the friendless. Rest well until we reunite when Christ returns.

Deacon Edward "Sugarpie" Harding

September 5, 1947 - February 2, 2026