Shirley Ann Benardino Hardy

Funeral services for Shirley Ann Benardino Hardy will be held Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 10:30am at Generations Church, 405 Rayford Rd. Spring, Texas 77386. Burial will follow in Conroe Memorial Park Cemetery. Shirley Ann Benardino Hardy of Tomball, Texas departed for Heaven on June 22, 2014. She was born to Joe and Myrtle Vivian Benardino in Conroe, Texas on February 5, 1935. Shirley grew up in Conroe where as a child she spent countless afternoons watching B-movie matinees at the Creighton Theater while her parents who owned and operated the City Café were busy serving blue-plate specials to the lunchtime crowd. When she couldn’t be found at the movies, you could bet she’d be caught up in some mischief with her pals Dickie Flaxman and Puggie Carter, and the tales of these little rascals’ antics were the highlight of every family get-together even to this day. Shirley had one brother, William (Billy Joe) Benardino, 10 years her senior, whom she adored and who was cast in every childhood story told by her as her greatest hero. Shirley played the clarinet in the Conroe High School Marching Band until she graduated in 1953. After high school she attended business school at Sam Houston State University. She met and fell in love with Ernest Arlington Hardy of Willis, Texas and they were married on June 30th, 1955. Soon after marriage, they were shipped off to Warrington England where Ernest served as an Airman in the United States Air Force until 1958. The two settled in Houston and had five children: Joey, Deborah, Kerry, Trina, and Melissa. Ernest was a quality inspector for an oilfield equipment manufacturer and Shirley a housewife until Ernest was tragically killed in an automobile accident June 20, 1973. A sudden widow, Shirley found herself left alone to raise five children ranging in age from 18 months to 16 years. She met the challenge head on, as was her nature, and sought out an inside sales position working for a industrial bag manufacturer. She selflessly devoted her life to raising her kids and making a home for them and endeavored to be both mother and father as much as possible. Shirley was born into the Kingdom of God when she made Jesus the Lord of her life January 1983. The Lord supernaturally arranged a divine encounter with Pastors Ron and Martha Sanders of Boulevard Assembly of God, and through their tireless witnessing and sharing of their testimonies of God’s indescribable love, the Lord won the hearts of Shirley and her children. The Lord promised to be a husband to the husbandless and a father to the fatherless and He’s proved Himself faithful to all who said yes to Him. Through her work she was transferred to the Dallas area in 1997 where soon after she suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Shortly thereafter she returned to Houston and became a cosmetic sales associate with Dillard’s Department Store. In 2009 Shirley’s health began to seriously decline and through complications with Diabetes became wheelchair bound, and from then until now she experienced a spiraling decline. Nevertheless, her desire to remain positive despite her circumstances and her faith in God sustained her through it all. No doubt the Lord never left her nor forsook her, no not once, and His abiding presence watched over her and comforted her until the Angels of God were dispatched to carry her home. Let it be said that Shirley Ann fought a good fight, she kept her faith, and she finished her course. She was a member of Generations Church in Spring, Texas, under Pastors Albert and Monica Hale. We hereby declare this a day of celebration and we rejoice with the Heavenly Hosts as Shirley Ann entered into eternity to ever be with her Lord Jesus. Set free from her ailing body and the bondage of sickness, never again will she experience suffering or pain, sorrow or tears. Oh that we could imagine the joy that fills her soul, the spring of youth in her step, the sparkle of everlasting life in her eyes, and her smile of unending rejoicing as the glory of her Lord shines upon her face! In anticipation of their eventual reunion, she leaves behind: Her precious sister-n-law, Shirley Carolyn Benardino; two sons, Joey A. Hardy and wife Lana, and Kerry T. Hardy and wife Jane; three Daughters: Deborah L. Piland and husband Douglas, Trina M. Mallett, and Melissa K. Hardy; twelve Grandchildren: Gary L. McClanahan and wife Krista, Jamie L. Paradise and husband Kevin, Koti E. Piland, Rebecca Jo Hardy, Andee R. Ringer, Brandon T. Hardy and wife Pamela, Cayley L. Hardy, Blake R. Mallett, Kaci O. Mallett, Lauren A. Lyon, Emily A. Lyon, Nicholas A. Lyon; 10 Great Grandchildren: Jonah Paradise, Korey Paradise, Matthew McClanahan, Destiny Bales, Keira Hardy, Taylor Houston, Rion Ringer, Isaac Hardy, Isabella Hardy and Lilah Hardy and numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends that will forever be touched by her life. You are invited to view our webpage and leave written tributes to the family at www.cashnerconroe.com