Josephine Harmon

Homegoing Celebration of the Life of Josephine Cottman Harmon Josephine Cottman was born on May 22, 1924 to the late Willis Cottman, Jr. and Annie Cannon Cottman. She was the oldest of 14 children from this union. She was wed in Holy Matrimony to Clifford Morris Harmon on December 7, 1940 by the late Reverend Noah H. Brown in Princess Anne, Maryland. God called His servant home on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, Maryland after a brief illness. She was educated in the Somerset County School system, in a one-room schoolhouse on Pete’s Hill Road in Princess Anne, Maryland. Josephine was an active long-time member of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church at West Post Office, until her health began to fail. She was a member of the Usher Board, the Voices of St. Mary’s Choir, the Missionary Society and served as the Church Treasurer. During her lifelong membership at her church, she served under nine (9) pastors. In her early years, along with being a homemaker, Josephine was employed by Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a domestic worker and later became a foster parent for the Somerset County Department of Social Services, where she received several commendations for her dedication and service over the years. On May 11, 2024, Josephine’s family and friends came together to help her celebrate her 100th birthday at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, with over 150 people in attendance. She received Citations from President Joe Biden, Maryland Governor, Wes Moore and former President Barack Obama. Josephine was well-known for her delicious cooking. Everyone enjoyed her greens, lima beans and dumplings, sweet potato biscuits, and folks came from far and near for her famous fried oyster fritters. She had many quotes and sayings, and her favorite saying was, “I’m fine as frog hair, splitting’ into, if I get any finer, I wouldn’t know what to do.” Her favorite programs were the Jimmy Swaggert Ministries and Politics Nation hosted by the Reverend Al Sharpton. She leaves to cherish her memory: 5 sons, Lloyd Harmon, Gerald Harmon (Connie), Marcus Harmon (Laverne), Lindsay Harmon (Cynthia) and Eric Harmon (Robin), 4 daughters, Laura Fleming (Larry), Cynthia Harris (John), Susan Harmon, and Paulette Cottman (Kevin); 3 sisters, Margaret Grant, Lucille Cook and Betty Cottman and 1 brother, Omar J. Cottman (Joyce). Also left to cherish her memory are: 25 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, many foster children, and a host of friends and acquaintances. She was predeceased in death by: husband, Clifford Harmon; brothers, Willis Cottman, Randolph Cottman, Alexander Cottman, Preston Cottman, Robert Lee Cottman and Samuel Cottman; sisters, Lennie Cottman, Vida Miles and Elsie Collins; sons, Danny Lee Harmon, Sr. and Clifford Charles Harmon; stepson, Curtis Leroy Harmon, Sr.; grandsons, Danny Lee Harmon, Jr., Terrence Milbourne and Jamar Harmon; great grandson, Marquis Harmon and a longtime friend, Mrs. Peggy Pusey. Sorrowfully Submitted ~ The Family

Josephine Harmon

May 22, 1924 - September 4, 2025