Lydia Jean Hardee

Lydia Jean Hardee, age 77, fell asleep peacefully into eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 11, 2022; she was surrounded by her family. She was born in Marianna, Arkansas on November 29, 1945, to Earl and Albert Mae Adams.

Jean lived a life of love and hope in Jesus, faithfully caring for, loving, and serving others. Her life verses were 1 John 4:15-16.

Jean passionately loved her family. Her best time was with her family. Selflessly giving of herself, often acting as a confidante and encouraging them onward, teaching them to love God and others. She made time for them, was there for them, and always wanted more time with them, particularly Ev.

Jean was an incredible wife, mom, grandma, sister, daughter, aunt, military family volunteer, and local fire department civilian (CAP) volunteer. In 1982, she was humbled with the Volunteer of the Year Award for all of United States Army Europe for her volunteer support of military families and support to the military community.

She was an avid reader. Preferring to hold the book in her hands, it allowed her to relate better to the author and the essence of the story.

Jean enjoyed writing poetry and painting, particularly landscapes as well as the German folk art form of Bauernmallerei.

She liked to vacation anywhere in her adopted Arizona or Hawai’i. Native American and Hawai’ian peoples were always kind to her; she showed an interest in their lives and lifestyles.

Jean enjoyed traveling to near and far-away places to meet the people and see the beauty of their homelands. She visited 42 of the United States as well as England, France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Israel, the former Soviet Union, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Jean was a career nurse in the fields of orthopedics, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Pediatrics was her specialty; she took pride in the fact that her babies never cried when she gave them immunizations. Aptly talented in business, Jean established a medical practice for a former United States Army orthopedic surgeon. Through her leadership in the local American Business Women’s Association and that medical practice, Jean’s orthopedic surgeon was selected as the Best Local Business and Manager of the Year in 1979.

Always active in life, Jean excelled in everything she did including bowling (a 100 to 1 ratio of awards to Ev’s), softball (a committed first baseman), sewing, and cooking (yummy, all the kids came to her house).

Jean was a faithful and loving child of God, active in the church choir, ladies’ ministry, a Pastor’s wife, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplain, Bible Study teacher, and local, short-term missionary. She gave of herself lovingly, willingly, and selflessly telling others about Jesus and showing His love through her compassion.

Jean was a friend; it was natural for her. People sought her for friendship, laughter, and encouragement.

Jean is lovingly survived by her husband Everett Hardee, of 59 years, awesome daughter Beth Hardee Gonce, equally awesome son Jeff Hardee, the best granddaughter in the world Sierra Hardee, sister Janice White Ryan, brothers William White, Allan White, Sean White, and Stephen White, nieces Bonita Traylor Tillman, Mickey Traylor Eastham, nephews Randy Traylor, Timmy Traylor, William Rutledge, Charlie Rutledge, Eddie Rutledge, Michael Rutledge, Rusty Adams, Kurt Adams, and Chris Adams. Jean is preceded in death by her father, Earl Adams, her mother, Albert Mae Hammock Adams, sister and stepmother Dorothy Adams White, sisters Frances Adams Traylor, Faye Adams Rutledge, Beverly Adams White, brothers Russell Adams, Harvey Adams, and Paul Adams.

Jean is also survived by a host of marvelous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a lifetime of great friends.

A visitation for Lydia Jean will be held Friday, December 23, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church, Chandler, 3405 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85248, followed by a funeral service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Hardee family.