Betty Jo Hardage

She was born in Alabama on August 9, 1934, to Joel and Bessie Pressnell Swanner.

She is survived by her Son: James N. “Jim” Hardage, Jr., 2 Daughters: Kim Hagar (Ken), and Tammy Williams (Fred Sr.), 8 Grandchildren: Joel Meyer (Maggie), Shane Meyer (Kayla), Fred Williams, Jr. (Sara), Marlina Williams, Amanda Williams, Madison Hardage, Abigail Hardage, and Bailley Hardage, 3 Great-Grandchildren: Avery Meyer, Wyatt Meyer, and Fred Williams III.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Husband: James Nolan Hardage, Sr., 1 Grandchild: Jamie Meyer, 1 Brother: Billy Swanner.

Mom. What a small word to try and describe her and her 92 years of a wonderful life. She was a beloved daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, a grandmother AND a great grandmother! There was hardly a bigger BAMA fan than she was. She was an artist and creative spirit in many different ways - she painted the Tanner Rattler on the big bass drum for the band. She painted the outdoor nativity and a scene for the baptistery at Tanner Methodist Church, where she was a life long member. She was a seamstress and designer who could whip up a cheerleader outfit or a drum majorette costume overnight. She was a gardener who picked her own vegetables and fruit, who canned and froze and preserved. She was a bird watcher, a cook and a chef. She was a cheerleader, a band parent, a den mother for Brownie Scouts and Girl Scouts, a Cub Scout Troop mom. She was an arrowhead hunter and river adventurer. Mom always loved the beach, which is where she met Dad while he was in the Air Force. As a child, she was dragged on a cotton sack in her dad’s fields and then picked cotton when she was old enough. Mom was a graduate of Tanner High School and attended secretarial school in Nashville, Tn. Best of all, she was our Mom.

There will be a private family visitation. The public Graveside Service will by Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Limestone Memorial Gardens in Athens, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either an Alzheimer or Breast Cancer fund of your choice.