FRANKIE B. HARDY

Frankie B. Hardy departed this life on Thursday, August 29, 2024.  Born in Midway, Texas on November 10, 1934 to Frank and Matilda Bell, Frankie was the third and only child to survive beyond infancy. As an only child, Frankie spent her childhood learning farming and ranching from her mother, her grandfather, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins who she admired. Frankie obeyed the Gospel of Christ at a young age and served God faithfully all of her life. 

Excelling in school, Frankie graduated from high school at age fifteen.  Four years later, she earned a teaching degree from Mary Allen College.  Shortly thereafter, Frankie married her college sweetheart, William M. Hardy, Sr. of Grandview, Texas.  The couple had two children, Laveda and William Jr. 

In 1967, Frankie graduated from Texarkana Nursing College as a Registered Nurse. She became the first African American Registered Nurse hired by Madisonville County Hospital.  Earning the position of Shift Supervisor, Frankie worked at the hospital for over three decades. She was loved and admired by the hospital staff as well as throughout Madison County for her humble demeanor, faithful service, dedication and loving kindness. Frankie later became Director of a home healthcare company.

Frankie served as a family member and a spiritual pillar at the Southside Church of Christ in Midway, Texas, where she taught Bible class, lead coral singing groups, organized Vacation Bible School, and served as head cook for the WWJEPB (What Would Jesus Expect People to Be?) Christian Camp of Midway, Texas. The camp was named in honor of her late aunt, Ella Phair Bailey and her late uncle, Wiley Wilson Johnson. Frankie was an avid writer and served as the Historian of the Johnson Family Reunion for over three decades of the reunion’s 67-year history.

Frankie will be missed by her two children, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, and a host of cousins, friends, and caregivers. 

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Southside Church of Christ on FM-247 in Midway, Texas.