Sable Arlen Harden, Sr.

Sable was born June 9, 1929 in Lula, OK to the late Johnie G. and Gladys V. (Reed) Harden, Sr. He died Saturday, May 12, 2018 in Sulphur, at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 3 days, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
Sable and the former Doris June “Judy” Sweat were married on June 17, 1949. She preceded him in death on June 18, 1998. On June 29, 2003, Sable married Zella (Clark) Riddle.
Sable grew up in Lula, where he graduated from Lula High School in 1948. Throughout his working career, he held several jobs including the Ada Candy Company, Ridley’s Packing Co. and Murphree’s Meats as butcher, Halliburton Services, Sonic and Tom’s Peanuts. The two jobs he was most known for was being the area manager and route carrier for the Daily Oklahoman and the Daily Ardmoreite Newspapers; as well his employment as a crosswalk guard for the Sulphur Elementary School.
Sable Harden was a very devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Throughout his walk with Christ, he served as a deacon and board member for the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Sulphur for 20 yrs, participated in missionary works in Kentucky since 2008 and more recent, he served as a deacon and board member for the Lighthouse Church of Sulphur. He loved singing gospel music and was a member of the Say So Choir and also a local singing group known as “Believin”
Throughout his life, Sable received several recognitions including, 20 years of service with the Daily Oklahoman, his service to the Lighthouse Church and the Pentecostal Church of Sulphur for Deacon/Board Member and was awarded the prestigious De Lannam Citizenship award in 2005.
Survivors include his loving wife Zella; four daughters, Kay Lackey & husband Darrell, Ruthie Boan & husband Alvin, Sr, Dee Christie & husband Jim and Liz Dilbeck & husband Tommy; one son, Sable Harden, Jr, all of Sulphur; one step-daughter, Vickie Farmer & husband Randy of Sulphur; two-step sons, Joe Dan Riddle of Sulphur and Kenneth Riddle & wife Creda of Mill Creek; one brother, James E. Harden & wife Darla of Sulphur; as well as 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Sable was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnie Garrett Harden, Jr and William Arthur Harden, Sr.