Rev. John Hardy Jr.

Rev. John Hardy, Jr., was born on November 11, 1914 in the Seabend near Edwards, Mississippi. He was the third of four children born to the union of the late Rev. John Hardy, Sr. and Mrs. Levella Hardy. His siblings, Annie Bell, Isom, and Mable, preceded him in death.

After graduating from Lanier High School in Jackson, MS and marriage, he and his wife migrated to Chicago, IL where they raised their two daughters, Gladiola and Shirley. He was a member of Greater St. John Baptist Church. While employed for Pullman Railroad as a Pullman Porter, it was his good fortune to obtain Eleanor Roosevelt’s autograph. He attended The Chicago Baptist Institute where he received a Bachelor of Theology, becoming an ordained minister.

Rev. Hardy relocated back to Jackson in 1964 to be near his aging parents. He became an active member of New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Leon Bell, D.D. In 1995 he joined Antioch M.B. Church of Jackson under the leadership of Rev. Roy L. Jackson, Pastor where he served as Assistant Pastor and also enjoyed teaching Sunday and Vacation Bible school. He shared a long and true friendship with both. He became an employee and close personal friend of the Latham Family. In addition, he received great joy attending the weekly Monday morning Bible Study Class led by Rick Eaton.

Having accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of thirteen, he was truly an obedient and devoted servant of the Lord. He faithfully prayed and read his Bible daily, and studied his Sunday school lesson until he was unable to do so. His unwavering devotion and clean lifestyle no doubt contributed to his longevity - 102 years! He traveled to the Holy Land, enjoyed good conversation, food, sports, and listening to gospel music especially, How Great Thou Art. He was a stickler for planning ahead and being on time. Rev. Hardy lived long enough to witness the first black male to become President of the United States.

The final two years of his life were spent in Chicago, IL with his daughters, granddaughter and son-in-law as a resident at Montgomery Place Long Term Care. While there, he attended Sunday Worship service and gave the opening prayer under the leadership of Rev. Lin Sanford Keppert, Worship Leader. He also attended the Saturday spiritual service at M.P., lead by Rev. William M. Watts, Pastor and Rev. Marva C. Watts, Asst. Pastor of Gospel Way Covenant Church.

He will be sorely missed by many; however, his departure from this life allows him to rest in eternal peace with the Lord.

To cherish his memory and to celebrate his life, Rev. Hardy leaves his daughters, Gladiola Ball (John) and Shirley Morgan; granddaughter, Erica Morgan; nieces, Cassandra Underwood, Pamela Pritchett and Renee Ellis; sister-in-law, Mary Burt all of Detroit, MI; special cousin, Grace Williams of Canton, MS, and a host of other caring family and friends.