Gwendolyn Irene Walker Hardy “Mother Hardy” (age 90)

KNOXVILLE, TN – Gwendolyn Irene Walker Hardy “Mother Hardy” was born on March 5, 1930 in Talladega, AL. She was one of 3 children of Ira H. and Minnie J. Walker. Reared in the Talladega school system, Gwendolyn decided to go to Alabama State University, graduating, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a Master’s Degree.

Gwendolyn married Willis Hardy in 1949, to this union were born Donald Nabors, Willis Bruce Hardy Angela Marie Hardy Cross and Dorothy Jean Hardy Ferguson; all (but Angela) preceded Gwendolyn in death.

Gwendolyn was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, USA in Wilson, NC, where she served faithfully on many different choirs and boards, for many, many years, before she moved to Tennessee to live with her daughter. She continued to faithfully serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved Jesus and the church. One of her favorite sayings, before she went to bed, was “See you in the morning, if the good Lord says so.” She encouraged people to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

She enjoyed playing the piano, she loved checkers, where many times she has been called the “checker queen”. She also loved roller skating and crossword puzzles. She was an avid swimmer.

Mrs. Hardy, as all of her students would call her, taught in the Wilson County and Greene County School Systems for 30 years before retiring to take care of her ailing husband, followed by many other family members throughout the years.

Gwendolyn lived a full life until she was called home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2020.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Reverend Dr. Angela Hardy Cross, 2 sons-in-law, Reverend Walter Cross (Knoxville, TN) and Leroy Ferguson (Wilson, NC); and one daughter-in-law, Bessie Hardy (Norfolk, VA). She also has 4 grandchildren, who loved her dearly, Michelle Davis of Chesapeake, VA, Tiffany Williams (Sam) of Wilson, NC, Kevin Ferguson (Crystal) of Charlotte, NC, and D’Angelo Hardy of Virginia Beach, VA. She has 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and other family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Winfred Dunbar-Davies, of TN Primary Care and Mrs. Lulu Roberson, caregiver for their outstanding care and Jarnigan & Sons Mortuary of Knoxville, TN, and all of you for your kindness and prayers at this time.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 10 am to 2 pm at Jarnigan & Sons Mortuary 2823 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Knoxville, TN 37914.

The family will have a private funeral service. Burial will be in Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Hardwick & Sons Funeral Home 2521 Duncan Ave Chattanooga, TN (423) 267- 1244 www.hardwickfuneral.com.

Courtesy of Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, Knoxville, TN