Murfreesboro, TN resident and McMinnville native Edward Byars Harding, Jr., age 69, was born August 27, 1955 in Marietta, Ga and died May 19, 2025 at Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro, TN following an extended illness.

A veteran of the United States Navy, he was the son of the late Edward Byars and Martha Fern Keifler Harding, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by step-mother, Mary Vernell Stanifer and half-brother, Thomas Dirr.

Mr. Harding is survived by half-sister, Sharon Blakesly of Ft. Myers, FL; niece, Rachel (Chuck) Navy of Ft. Myers, FL; one great-niece, one great-nephew, one great-great-nephew and friends, Kenneth McGinness of Smyrna, TN and Jeffery Purcell of Alabama.

Mr. Harding will be interred next to his parents at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Cagle, TN at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. No service or visitation will be held at High’s.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com

Main Street Journal

May, 22, 2025

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