Elton Jethro Hardy

SERVICES: TUESDAY,          NOVEMBER 10, 2009 1:00 PM          MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPEL VISITATION: MONDAY,         NOVEMBER 9, 2009          6:00-8:00 PM INTERMENT: BETHSAIDA CEMETERYOFFICIATING:  REV. LEWIS LAFFERTY                        REV. JAY RICHARDSON                        REV. JOHN FISK, JR. Elton Jethro Hardy was born on February 8, 1928, in Neshoba County, Mississippi.  He was transformed from this earthly body into his heavenly body on Sunday, November 8, 2009 leaving behind many friends and relatives.  His parents, Jessie Kynard and Emma Beatrice Hardy, who preceded him in death, greeted him in heaven, as did his daughter Debra Lynn, who has been in heaven since December 1964.  Those who know Elton best will agree that he is now running and playing with Debbie, and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his wife.    Elton was a man of God with a heart-full of love for his family and friends.  He lived a life of service to others in his personal and professional career.  After marrying his high school sweetheart, Charlene Everette in 1946, he began a short-lived farming career working with his father in a truck farming business.  In 1952, he moved to Moss Point, MS and began a 25-year career as an electrical supervisor at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. in Pascagoula, MS.  Health issues kept Elton from serving in the military but he was privileged to serve his country by constructing nuclear submarines from 1952-1974.   In 1974, Elton and his family moved to Meridian, MS where he assumed the position Superintendent of the Masonic Children's Home.  It was with great pride that he represented Mississippi Masonic Fraternity for 3 years.  In 1977, he moved to Jackson, MS to the Mississippi Baptist Children's Village where he and his wife served side by side for the next 25 years.  He held various positions while at the Village, retiring in 1996 from the position of purchasing agent.  The children at the "village" became his life and joy.   Elton lived a Christian life beyond reproach, accepting Jesus as his Savior at age 12 and joining Bethsaida Baptist Church in rural Neshoba County.  Through out his life he was very active in a number of Baptist churches.  In 1952, he was ordained as a deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Moss Point, MS, an honor he cherished the rest of his life.  His service in the Baptist church over the next 60 plus years included almost every volunteer position in the church.  From February 2005 until March 2009, he and his wife resided at the Willard Bond Home (Home Place) in Madison, MS where he taught Sunday School.  At his time of death, he was a member of Highland Colony Baptist Church in Madison, MS.   Elton was a Master Mason, F&AM, holding lifetime membership in Mt. Salus Lodge # 595, Clinton, MS.  He is a Past Master of Pascagoula Lodge # 419 F&AM.  He was a 32 degree mason holding membership in Scottish Rite Bodies of Gulfport, and was a member of the Wahabi Shrine Temple in Jackson, MS.  He was also an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, having served as Past Patron of Meridian # 11, Jackson # 47 and Clinton # 344 Chapters.   Elton is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Charlene Everett Hardy; daughters, Charlotte and husband, Lewis Lafferty of Flowood, MS, Karen and husband, Dr. John Fisk, Jr. of Madison, MS; grandchildren, Archie Godwin and wife, Pam of Sumter, SC, Denise and husband Charles Williard, III of Winston Salem, NC; great-grandson, Micah Williard of Winston Salem, NC; close family friend and "chosen" daughter, Jane and husband, Lin Shimp of Pearl, MS; step-grandsons, Nicholas Lafferty of Clinton, MS and Stephen Fisk of San Diego, CA;  step-great-grandchildren, Charlie Williard and Courtney Williard, both of Winston Salem, NC; sisters, Mrs. Herman (Edrith) Miller of Carthage, MS, Mrs. David (Louise) Spears of Philadelphia, MS and Mrs. Rodney (Jewell) Goldman of Philadelphia, MS; in-laws, Mrs. J.T. (Pat) Smith of Wade, MS, Mrs. W.F. (Sylvia) Feazell of Gautier, MS, Mr. William C. (Billy and Celeste) Chesney of Madison, TN and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins of whom he was very fond.    Special thanks are given to: Dr. & Mrs. Jay Richardson and the Highland Colony Baptist Church members for their outpouring of blessing during our times of need, to Dr. Q and staff of St. Dominic's Cancer Clinic for their expressions of love and support over the past three years for the patient in the "pink socks", to Marie Finton and John Anderson our special hospice team and the administrative and volunteer staff of Hospice Ministries, Ridgeland, MS and to our precious sitter Thyjuana Brown for her loving and compassionate touch.   The family has requested donations be made in Elton's memory to Baptist Children's Village, P.O.  Box 27, Clinton, MS  39060. Pallbearers: Troy Dees, Rev. Kinsey Goldman, Dr. Scotty Goldman, Steve Hillman, Ronnie Miller, and Chuck Woolridge.  Honorary pallbearers were Mickey Conn, Frank Feazell, Rodney Goldman, Chris McLemore, Bunkie Smith, Byron Smith, Hugh Wiley Winstead, and Billy Chesney.