Karolyn Kay Hardy, age 73, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 12, 2018 in Abilene, TX. A visitation and celebration of Karolyn's life will be from 5PM to 7PM on Thursday, August 16th at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 1 o'clock at the same location with Brother Rodney Watson of Lytle South Baptist Church officiating.
Karolyn was born in Taft, CA to Ora Mae (Clark) and Willis Dolphus "Dub" Waldren, on June 12, 1945, the third of four children. The family settled in Abilene in her early childhood. She met the love of her life, Eldon Ray Hardy, while working for Levi Strauss Inc. in Roswell, NM. They were married in the spring of 1969 and lived a beautiful life together, eventually returning with their two daughters to Abilene to be closer to family.
Karolyn is fondly remembered by a diverse set of friends. She found joy in making others happy. She loved bowling and visiting with her friends on league nights and weekend tournaments, whether the scores were good or not. She served in different roles for the TX Women's Bowling Assoc. through the years and in 2016, was inducted into the US Bowling Congress Hall of Fame. She loved her horses, Jose and Lil Bit and was able, late in life, to pursue her lifelong passion to ride. She loved her little dog, Sadie Ann- a faithful companion and vigilant defender. She loved to travel and camp and be at the lake with her family. Most of all she loved her family and friends, who depended as much on her encouragement as she did on theirs.
At the age of 50, when most people are looking forward to retirement, Karolyn decided to go back to school and become an X-ray technician, then, a few years later, a mammography technician. She was dedicated to the care of her patients and inspired a victorious spirit to those who needed hope. She never let her physical limitations keep her from doing the things she loved. In fact you could say those limitations provoked a determined spirit to do more.
Mrs. Hardy is survived by her daughters: Ginger McCallum and husband Thomas of Garland; Kathy Williams and husband Jack of Abilene; grandchildren, Heather Flores of Abilene, Daniel and Caitlin McCallum of Garland, and Jada and Sean Williams of Abilene; sister, Juanita Rains and husband Bobby of Abilene; sister-in-law Sandra Waldren of Abilene; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Eldon R. Hardy and brothers, Harold Waldren and Ray Waldren.
Karolyn, dear mother, grandmother, sister and friend, you will be missed for your sweet humor, your fierce love and your unfailing ability to stir the strength, passion and kindness in those whose lives you touched.
