Pilgereen Hardy

Pilgereen Blackman Hardy, affectionately known to family and friends as “Pil”, ”Dear” and “Nan” was born on July 25,1929, to the union of the late Reverend Pilger Blackman and Beatrice Barron-Blackman, in Mansura, Louisiana. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Little Zion Baptist Church in Longbridge, Louisiana by her grandfather, the late Pastor Reverend William Blackman. Pilgereen departed this life, and entered eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. She was the third oldest of seven siblings of which three sisters have preceded her in death, Hazel Tatmon, Edar Belle Mallory and Pernell Washington.

Pilgereen graduated from Marksville Colored High School in Marksville, Louisiana. After graduation, she moved to Houston, Texas to live with relatives to pursue meaningful work. She was blessed with a seamstress’s talent which she blended with the basics she learned in high school in her Home Economics class. Sewing became her livelihood. Later, she sort corporate work and was hired by Kmart, where she worked in the Sales department until she retired. She also had an avid interest in taking pictures of others, family and all others in her presence at any occasion. This hobby was the result of countless photo albums, and a resource center for individuals seeking a photo of a demised loved one.

She was truly an angel in disguise, as she took several family members to live with her through the years, each one at various times, helping us to navigate through stages in life from country to city life,or adolescence to adulthood.

Pilgereen met and married Olan Hardy in Houston, Texas. He preceded her in death. She had one daughter, Beverly Thomas, who preceded her in death, and one stepdaughter, Caroline Hardy Bush, Burnsville, Minnesota.

After retirement, she moved from Houston to Mansura, Louisiana to care for her dad who lived alone after her mother Beatrice passed. She lovingly cared for her dad for several years until he passed in 1999, at the age of 99+.

Prior to her move to Louisiana, she was a member of Fontaine First Baptist Church in Houston, under the pastorship of Reverend John Henry Brown. After moving back to Louisiana, she reunited Little Zion Baptist Church in Longbridge, Louisiana, (her childhood church home), under pastorship of her father, the late Reverend Pilger Blackman, who retired from pastoring at Little Zion Baptist Church a few years later due to failing health; subsequently, Reverend Vernon Simon was installed as Pastorate, and she continued to serve faithfully under leadership of Reverend Simon.

Due to her failing health, she moved back to Houston and lived with her granddaughter Connie Williams, until her demise. For several years, Connie took the utmost care of her grandmother whom she affectionately called “Dear.” The family is forever grateful and thankful to Connie for her steadfast care, love and compassion, with amazing patience as she cared for her grandmother.

Our beloved Pilgereen leaves treasured memories to one sister, Jeanette Early, Aurora, CO; two brothers, Arnold Blackman, Englewood, CA; and Marvin Blackman (Freda), Kingwood, TX; Her granddaughter Connie Williams; (Broc), Houston, TX; Stepdaughter Caroline Bush, Burnsville, MN; 2 God sons Fabian Early Sr., and Lowell Wayne Tatmon; 7 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 46 great great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A family gathering will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM at Paradise Funeral Home Chapel, 10401 W. Montgomery Rd. Houston, Texas 77088. A celebration honoring the life of Pilgereen will immediately

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follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home Chapel, 10401 W. Montgomery Rd. Houston, Texas 77088.