Corine Harding

Corine (Longmire) Sutherland Harding passed away on July 3, 2024 in Kiowas Kansas at the age of 100 years and five months. 

She was born on February 2, 1924 in Pineville, Kentucky to Ed and Georgia Belle (Oakes) Longmire. Corine was one of eight children and grew up in the coal mining towns of eastern Kentucky. 

In 1946, Corine left Kentucky to move to Topeka, Kansas in search of new adventures. While working as a waitress, she met and later married Wayne Sutherland. She and Wayne lived in Topeka, Wichita, and finally settled in Lewis, Kansas, which was his hometown. They owned and operated the B & H cafe in Lewis for many years. They moved to Kiowa in 1968 when Wayne became the Chief of Police there. He passed away in 1975. 

In 1978, Corine married Jack Harding, also a resident of Kiowa. He passed away in 2020. 

During her time in Kiowa, Corine was employed as a waitress, a clerk at the local drug store, and a clerk in a men's clothing store. She was a member of the Kiowa Congregational Church and the Pilgrim daughters. Even though she became too frail to attend church services, her faith in God never wavered and she continued to support her church in later years. 

At one time, she was the Girl Scout leader for her daughter, Kimberly's, troop. In her later years she volunteered at the General Store in Kiowa, where she took home many Barbie dolls to give them a makeover. Her hobbies included making (and giving away) cinnamon rolls, baking pies, cookies, and cakes, crocheting, and quilting. Corine had sewn for years, but only began quilting when she was in her late 60’s. Many friends and family members have one of her quilts on their beds. Corine is survived by two daughters, Susan (Robert) Helmke of Preston, Kansas and Kimberly (Patrick) O'Grady of Cimarron, Kansas; a daughter-in-law, Victoria (George) Sutherland of Madison, Alabama; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren, and many friends from church and the community. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Georgia Belle; Longmire brothers, Quentin, Roger, Wallace, Bill, and Eddie Longmire; sisters, Rose Nell Wilson and Wanda Tye; husbands, Wayne Sutherland and Jack Harding; son, George Sutherland, and great granddaughter, Paryn Rohrbaugh. 

Graveside service for Corine will be Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 10:30 at Wayne Cemetery in Lewis, Kansas. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

The family suggests memorials may be given to Heartland Hospice or the Kiowa Hospital District Manor for the activity fund through the funeral home. Please make checks out to the Manor or Heartland Hospice.