Glenn Harben

Dawsonville - Glenn Harben, 78, of Dawsonville, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior in Heaven on Sunday May 30, 2010.
Glenn was a sweet man gifted with a gentle spirit and spent his life sharing these wonderful attributes with his loved ones. He was born January 15, 1932, in Dawson County to the late Sherman and Lula Harben, affectionately known as Laffy and Bobie. He spent his childhood in Dawsonville until the age of 16, knowing fully the country ways of life so enjoyed back then. Riding bikes on dirt roads, swimming in the Shoal Hole, going fishing and trips to Amicalola Falls were his favorite pastimes. He graduated from Dawson County High School and attended Truett McConnell College and the University of Georgia. As a young adult, Glenn lived in Athens, Ga. These years were filled with happiness, marriage to Inez, the birth of three children, close friends he adored, the Georgia Bulldogs, coaching his church softball team and lots of hard work at his Arctic Girl restaurant on Broad Street. In the late sixties, he moved his family to Atlanta where he became a residential builder and developer. He served as President of the Gwinnett Homebuilders Association and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Integrity and professionalism in these capacities brought him numerous awards. He also served honorably in the Army Reserves, receiving a medal for riflery marksmanship. Upon retirement, his love of Dawson County and Lake Lanier brought him back home. Too busy to sit still, working as a building inspector and at Etowah Water, fulfilled him and brought special friendships. If you were with Glenn, you were sure to get a smile, have a laugh and walk away feeling loved. Family days at the lake, going to church and playing with his border collies, Dawson and Duke, were highlights of those days. His treasured places of fellowship and worship were Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens and Dunwoody Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. With a quiet strength that was so typical of his way, Glenn lived his Christian faith by example. He actively helped those in need, compassionately loved all people and trusted God completely. When diagnosed with AlzheimerÕs Disease, he said he wasnÕt afraid because he knew God would take care of him. Mr. Harben was also preceded in death by his sisters, Marvine Wrigley and Cecile Fouts; and brother, Ford Harben.
Surviving are his daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Russ Wallace, Dawsonville, and Patti and Jay Fox, Alpharetta; son, David Harben, Atlanta, (their mother, Inez Leach); sister, Elsie Quillian, Winder; grandchildren, Ashley and Anthony Keeton, Taylor Wallace and Nicholas Perzella and Colin Perzella, (their father, Joe); and a number of other dear relatives and close friends.
Interment services will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. Dr. Jim Gaines will officiate.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AlzheimerÕs Association, 855 Abutment Road, Suite 6, Dalton, GA 30721. www.alz.org.
Condolences may be sent to www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, Ga.