Shirley Hull (Hardesty) O'Bryan

Shirley Hull (Hardesty) O’Bryan (May 11, 1929), 96 years old, passed away from natural causes in her Forest Springs Healthcare in Louisville, Ky, apartment in the late evening of March 16, 2026, surrounded by some of her family.

She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 11, 1929, to parents Joseph Raymond Hardesty and Florence Hull (Simpson) Hardesty. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Mossie Day (Surber) Hardesty, husband Bernard Burch O’Bryan Jr., brother Joseph Dwight Hardesty, stepsister Nell D. Surber, and daughter Shirley Ann (O’Bryan) Smith.

She is survived by her son, Bernard Burch O’Bryan III, his wife Pamela Rae (Bresnen), and granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth O’Bryan, all of Covington, Kentucky, and granddaughter Jessica Lauren (Smith) Keena, husband James Alexander Keena, and their daughters, Marlowe Florence Keena and Jolene Helen Keena, all of Richmond, Virginia.

Shirley grew up in Louisville’s west end, graduated from Louisville’s Shawnee High School, then worked as a clerk before and after marriage, eventually moving to the Okolona area of Jefferson County. With the encouragement of her stepmother, Mossie Hardesty, she began night college, eventually obtained a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education from Catherine Spalding University. She taught at several elementary schools, including St. Barnabus, Ascension, St. Rita, and Dunn, eventually retiring as a teacher, but continuing her education by gaining her Real Estate license. She partnered with her husband in selling real estate and as landlords.

As a child, she began studying the accordion and eventually played in an orchestra. She was passionate about creating clothing and cloth crafts, making most of her own clothes and some for her family, including her daughter’s wedding dress. Some of her crochet and needlepoint creations won contests at the Kentucky State and local Fairs. She collected art, especially from her friend, Peewee Valley artist Mary Johnston. She motored by car extensively across Mexico and the United States with her family, and toured Europe, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

Shirley O’Bryan remarked that when she awoke each day, she told herself she would be happy, so she was. This gave her power over the stress, worry, and challenges of the day. Each night, she prayed for her family and friends. She had no enemies. Daily, she called friends from her youth and those she gathered during her life. The Oldham Era recognized her as a “Living Treasure” and published an extensive interview about her life, especially her youth spent in Peewee Valley. She was generous to her church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of La Grange, Kentucky, and active in the Republican Women’s Club, as well as the Oldham County History Center, where she seasonally maintained their dollhouse.

As a former World War 2 Marine’s wife, she was very patriotic and supportive of veterans. In addition, she supported those struggling with problems associated with addictions. She was a long patron of the Little Colonel Players, holding season tickets for many decades, and giving away tickets to friends and family.

Around her Crestwood home, she enjoyed gardening and watching wildlife such as deer, turkeys, birds, and squirrels. The many trees she planted now reach great heights in the forest she and her husband created, a legacy for her community. Of greater impact are the thousands of children she taught over decades of service.

Visitation will be held at the Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, 706 W Jefferson Street, Lagrange, KY 40031, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, between 4 PM and 8 PM, with prayers beginning at 7 pm. Funeral Service will be on Thursday, March 26, 2026, beginning at 11 AM, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 502 North Fifth Street, La Grange, Kentucky 40031. Afterwards, burial will be at the Floydsburg Cemetery, 5600 Old Floydsburg Road, Crestwood, Kentucky, 40014.