Josephine Cantu “Josie” Harlan, age 69, of Goldthwaite, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021. Josie was born on August 2, 1952, in San Saba, Texas. She married George Harlan on May 24, 1979.
Josie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Josie loved her family dearly and dedicated her life to raising her children and grandchildren.
She was a giving person who never hesitated to help those in need. She was not only a sister to her younger siblings, but she was also a second mother to them. Thus, getting her the nickname “Mama.”
Josie raised her children and grandchildren with devotion and love. She loved to socialize with friends and family and loved to dance. She loved her music and was always ready to celebrate special occasions with family.
She loved life and was always a high spirited person. We will miss her smile, joking, her conversations, and that joyful voice of hers. She leaves behind beautiful memories, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who will carry on her angelic spirit.
Josie joins her mother, Guadalupe Mendoza Cantu; her father, Santos Cantu; two sisters, Lucille Luna and Lydia Smith; and a brother, Richard Cantu, in eternal life.
She is survived by her husband, George Harlan, and her dog, Benji, of Goldthwaite, Texas; siblings: Mary Flores and husband, Thomas, of San Saba, Texas; Tony Cantu and wife, Olga, of San Saba, Texas; Solema Orr of Georgetown, Texas; Susana Lowe and husband, Buster, of San Saba, Texas; Manuel Cantu and wife, Dolores, of San Antonio, Texas; and Yolanda Jimenez of Brownwood, Texas; brother-in-law, Basil Harlan and wife, Glenda, of Marysville, California; sister-in-law, Shirley Edwards, of Bandera, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.
Josie is survived by her daughters: Jennifer Stewart and husband, Paul, of San Saba, Texas; Renee Cantu Roberts and Charles Wright of Dallas, Texas; and Amanda Burkett and husband, James, of Zephyr, Texas; and her sons: Charles Harlan, and Robert Harlan and Windy Hackney of Brownwood, Texas.
Her surviving grandchildren are: Jeremy Plumley, Amber Plumley, Ryan Plumley and wife, Carrie; Cory Michael Roberts, Ashlyne Paige Roberts, Alan Wayne Roberts, Angel Baker, Orin Kern, Halle Kern, Brayden Harlan, and Aliyah Harlan.
Great-grandchildren include: Braylee Aliese Roberts, Mikayla Renee Gage, Kinsley Paige Gage, Maddox Wayne Gage, Emma Bishop, Jaelyn Plumley, Taber Plumley, Avery Plumley, and Kennedy Plumley.
Pallbearers were: Robert Harlan, Cory Roberts, Orin Kerr, Brayden Harlan, Alan Roberts, and Josue Sanchez.
Services were Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Stacy-Wilkins Chapel with internment at the Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery.
Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.