On Monday, September 14, 2020, Cornelius E. Harding Jr., fondly known as "Tweezer," transitioned from this world after a brief illness. He was the eldest of six children born to the late Cornelius E. and Carolyn Brown Harding. A Portsmouth native, he was raised at 726 Stonewall Street in Lincolnville—the city's first community for free Blacks —in a loving home he referenced with great pride. He attended St. James Episcopal Church where he was baptized in 1936 by Reverend M. B. Birchette and served faithfully in various capacities including on the Vestry and with the Men of St. James.
Tweezer attended Chestnut Street and Peabody Schools for his early education. As a student at I. C. Norcom High School he was an athlete and often boasted his list of personal and team accomplishments —especially his membership on the 1951 Championship Basketball Team. His success on the court led him to play on the Hampton Institute (now University) varsity team (1952-1954) and on the Loring and Anderson Air Force Basketball Teams after joining the Air Force in 1954.
While serving in the armed forces, Tweezer married his high school sweetheart D. Jerlene Henderson. Born from this union were two children, David Cornelius and Kimberly Kay, both whom brought him pride and joy. A true family man, he possessed a deep loyalty and affection for all of its branches. He was a good source of local, Black, and family history, sports facts and political strategy and often entertained and educated family and friends with his colorful nostalgic stories.
Bringing enjoyment to others and actively supporting socio-political causes fueled everything Tweezer did. His introduction to a life of service began while a member of Troop 106 Boy's Scouts at St. James. He has held memberships and served in leadership positions in the I.C. Norcom Alumni Association, Olympian Sports Club, Post 190 American Legion, the Eureka Club, and others. Compelled to make a difference, his civic service included membership in the Brighton/Prentis Park Civic League, the Tri-Neighborhood Patrol and he often volunteered as a poll worker. Most notably, Tweezer was an organizer of the Lincolnville Reunions which reunited former residents of the community that was bulldozed in Portsmouth's 1961 urban renewal project.
Maybe it was his employment as a letter carrier by the United States Postal Service, where he retired after 30 years of service, that made him so well known in the city. Perhaps it was his gregarious and caring nature, or his empathy and goodwill that magnetized people. Whatever the reason, he was popular and loved by many—and he loved many in return. His Facebook friends and followers are a testament to that and can testify that he loved to like, comment and repost communications.
Tweezer is predeceased by his wife and son, Jerlene and David, and sister Mamie Carswell. He leaves his daughter Kimberly to cherish his memories. He will be missed by his siblings Barbara Fountain; Florence Williams (Morris); Carolyn Bryant (Lloyd); and his brother William Leslie Harding; an uncle, Robert Brown; an aunt, Idella Leggett; a God-daughter, Crystal Holiday (Felippi); and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.
Tweezer attended Chestnut Street and Peabody Schools for his early education. As a student at I. C. Norcom High School he was an athlete and often boasted his list of personal and team accomplishments —especially his membership on the 1951 Championship Basketball Team. His success on the court led him to play on the Hampton Institute (now University) varsity team (1952-1954) and on the Loring and Anderson Air Force Basketball Teams after joining the Air Force in 1954.
While serving in the armed forces, Tweezer married his high school sweetheart D. Jerlene Henderson. Born from this union were two children, David Cornelius and Kimberly Kay, both whom brought him pride and joy. A true family man, he possessed a deep loyalty and affection for all of its branches. He was a good source of local, Black, and family history, sports facts and political strategy and often entertained and educated family and friends with his colorful nostalgic stories.
Bringing enjoyment to others and actively supporting socio-political causes fueled everything Tweezer did. His introduction to a life of service began while a member of Troop 106 Boy's Scouts at St. James. He has held memberships and served in leadership positions in the I.C. Norcom Alumni Association, Olympian Sports Club, Post 190 American Legion, the Eureka Club, and others. Compelled to make a difference, his civic service included membership in the Brighton/Prentis Park Civic League, the Tri-Neighborhood Patrol and he often volunteered as a poll worker. Most notably, Tweezer was an organizer of the Lincolnville Reunions which reunited former residents of the community that was bulldozed in Portsmouth's 1961 urban renewal project.
Maybe it was his employment as a letter carrier by the United States Postal Service, where he retired after 30 years of service, that made him so well known in the city. Perhaps it was his gregarious and caring nature, or his empathy and goodwill that magnetized people. Whatever the reason, he was popular and loved by many—and he loved many in return. His Facebook friends and followers are a testament to that and can testify that he loved to like, comment and repost communications.
Tweezer is predeceased by his wife and son, Jerlene and David, and sister Mamie Carswell. He leaves his daughter Kimberly to cherish his memories. He will be missed by his siblings Barbara Fountain; Florence Williams (Morris); Carolyn Bryant (Lloyd); and his brother William Leslie Harding; an uncle, Robert Brown; an aunt, Idella Leggett; a God-daughter, Crystal Holiday (Felippi); and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.
On Monday, September 14, 2020, Cornelius E. Harding Jr., fondly known as "Tweezer," transitioned from this world after a brief illness. He was the eldest of six children born to the late Cornelius E. and Carolyn Brown Harding. A Portsmouth native, he was raised at 726 Stonewall Street in Lincolnville—the city's first community for free Blacks —in a loving home he referenced with great pride. He attended St. James Episcopal Church where he was baptized in 1936 by Reverend M. B. Birchette and served faithfully in various capacities including on the Vestry and with the Men of St. James.
Tweezer attended Chestnut Street and Peabody Schools for his early education. As a student at I. C. Norcom High School he was an athlete and often boasted his list of personal and team accomplishments —especially his membership on the 1951 Championship Basketball Team. His success on the court led him to play on the Hampton Institute (now University) varsity team (1952-1954) and on the Loring and Anderson Air Force Basketball Teams after joining the Air Force in 1954.
While serving in the armed forces, Tweezer married his high school sweetheart D. Jerlene Henderson. Born from this union were two children, David Cornelius and Kimberly Kay, both whom brought him pride and joy. A true family man, he possessed a deep loyalty and affection for all of its branches. He was a good source of local, Black, and family history, sports facts and political strategy and often entertained and educated family and friends with his colorful nostalgic stories.
Bringing enjoyment to others and actively supporting socio-political causes fueled everything Tweezer did. His introduction to a life of service began while a member of Troop 106 Boy's Scouts at St. James. He has held memberships and served in leadership positions in the I.C. Norcom Alumni Association, Olympian Sports Club, Post 190 American Legion, the Eureka Club, and others. Compelled to make a difference, his civic service included membership in the Brighton/Prentis Park Civic League, the Tri-Neighborhood Patrol and he often volunteered as a poll worker. Most notably, Tweezer was an organizer of the Lincolnville Reunions which reunited former residents of the community that was bulldozed in Portsmouth's 1961 urban renewal project.
Maybe it was his employment as a letter carrier by the United States Postal Service, where he retired after 30 years of service, that made him so well known in the city. Perhaps it was his gregarious and caring nature, or his empathy and goodwill that magnetized people. Whatever the reason, he was popular and loved by many—and he loved many in return. His Facebook friends and followers are a testament to that and can testify that he loved to like, comment and repost communications.
Tweezer is predeceased by his wife and son, Jerlene and David, and sister Mamie Carswell. He leaves his daughter Kimberly to cherish his memories. He will be missed by his siblings Barbara Fountain; Florence Williams (Morris); Carolyn Bryant (Lloyd); and his brother William Leslie Harding; an uncle, Robert Brown; an aunt, Idella Leggett; a God-daughter, Crystal Holiday (Felippi); and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.
Tweezer attended Chestnut Street and Peabody Schools for his early education. As a student at I. C. Norcom High School he was an athlete and often boasted his list of personal and team accomplishments —especially his membership on the 1951 Championship Basketball Team. His success on the court led him to play on the Hampton Institute (now University) varsity team (1952-1954) and on the Loring and Anderson Air Force Basketball Teams after joining the Air Force in 1954.
While serving in the armed forces, Tweezer married his high school sweetheart D. Jerlene Henderson. Born from this union were two children, David Cornelius and Kimberly Kay, both whom brought him pride and joy. A true family man, he possessed a deep loyalty and affection for all of its branches. He was a good source of local, Black, and family history, sports facts and political strategy and often entertained and educated family and friends with his colorful nostalgic stories.
Bringing enjoyment to others and actively supporting socio-political causes fueled everything Tweezer did. His introduction to a life of service began while a member of Troop 106 Boy's Scouts at St. James. He has held memberships and served in leadership positions in the I.C. Norcom Alumni Association, Olympian Sports Club, Post 190 American Legion, the Eureka Club, and others. Compelled to make a difference, his civic service included membership in the Brighton/Prentis Park Civic League, the Tri-Neighborhood Patrol and he often volunteered as a poll worker. Most notably, Tweezer was an organizer of the Lincolnville Reunions which reunited former residents of the community that was bulldozed in Portsmouth's 1961 urban renewal project.
Maybe it was his employment as a letter carrier by the United States Postal Service, where he retired after 30 years of service, that made him so well known in the city. Perhaps it was his gregarious and caring nature, or his empathy and goodwill that magnetized people. Whatever the reason, he was popular and loved by many—and he loved many in return. His Facebook friends and followers are a testament to that and can testify that he loved to like, comment and repost communications.
Tweezer is predeceased by his wife and son, Jerlene and David, and sister Mamie Carswell. He leaves his daughter Kimberly to cherish his memories. He will be missed by his siblings Barbara Fountain; Florence Williams (Morris); Carolyn Bryant (Lloyd); and his brother William Leslie Harding; an uncle, Robert Brown; an aunt, Idella Leggett; a God-daughter, Crystal Holiday (Felippi); and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.
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