James O Neal Hardin

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather transitioned to Heaven on Tuesday June 1, 2021 at Mitchell Hollingsworth Rehabilitation Center at the age of 76. 

Mr. James O’Neal Hardin was born to the late James B. Hardin and Alice Hardin on February the 12th, 1945 in Florence, Alabama.  He was a resident of Florence, Alabama for 76 years. He accepted Christ at an early age at the East Florence Missionary Baptist Church and later became an active member of the Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church.  During his lifetime, Mr. Hardin displayed servant leadership and held many positions in the church which included being a member of the Trustee Board, Deacon Board, Male Chorus, Sunday School Teacher and Youth Advisor to name a few.

He attended high school at Burrell Slater High School and graduated with the Class of 1965.

Mr. Hardin served as an Army War Veteran with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and served Vietnam Nam Conflict. He was also a member of the 1969 Presidential Honor Guard and participated in the 1969 Presidential Inauguration for which Richard Milhous Nixon was inaugurated. Mr. Hardin was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Nam Campaign Medal.

Mr. Hardin worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority, Colbert Fossil Plant located in Tuscumbia, Alabama as a boilermaker for twenty-five years and was a member of the Boilermakers Local 455.  Upon retirement, he later worked as a consultant for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he trained and advised over thirty boiler makers. 

Mr. James O’Neal Hardin was united in marriage to Mattie Eva Mitchell on December 18, 1967. From this union three children were born.  James was preceded in death by his father and mother James “Boosey” and Alice Hardin, four sisters, Vernice Key, Wylodean Young, Juanita Coleman and Romilla Hardin and two brothers Mr. James M. Hardin and William Roosevelt Arnett.  He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 53 years, Mattie M. Hardin, Daughter Melissa D. Hardin of Florence, Alabama, Son Michael O. Hardin (Neysa) of Madison, Alabama and Daughter Maya D. Hardin of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, six grandchildren: Tony Morton, Jaylon T. Hardin, Nicole Seaward, Marcus Morton, “Little Michael” James Hardin, and McKenzie Hardin, ten great-grand children a devoted niece Ms. Onita S. Coleman of Florence, Alabama, a brother Joe Hardin of Saginaw, Michigan and a sister Beatrice Bond (Albert) of Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. Hardin has five brothers in law and 5 sisters in law; William “Jake” Coleman of Florence, Percy L. Mitchell of Town Creek, Alabama, Lodesta Jackson of Detroit, Michigan, Gloria Younger (Isaac) of Birmingham, Alabama, Lorrine Mitchell of Florence, Alabama, Nancy Gholston (Ray) of Florence, Alabama and Carolyn Duster of Florence, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The family would like to express a special “thank you” to a devoted niece who is revered as a daughter and sister, Mrs. Tekisha E. Martin, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Damon) of Houston, Texas, a special thanks to Mr. Percy Harris, Sr.

The family of James O’Neal Hardin wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many deeds of kindness shown during their time of sorrow.  May God be With You Always.

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