On February 23, 2024, at 12:10 AM, Ann Marie Huey Hardie, beloved mother, mother-in-law, granny, and great-granny passed from this life and was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Although her battle with Alzheimer’s caused her to forget us here below, she never forgot her Lord. Even on her worst days, if she was asked, “Do you know who Jesus is?”, her response was “He’s my Heavenly Father.” What a comfort this is to her family, and such a testament of the fullness of salvation and the faithfulness of God!
Ann was born on November 19, 1929, to the late William and Stella Huey of Kenton, Tennessee, and she married John Thelan Hardie of Rutherford, Tennessee on July 3, 1946. They were married 53 years until he died in 1998. She faithfully supported him throughout his ministry of pastoring numerous Baptist churches throughout Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. Together they built a legacy of strong faith, which they exemplified in their lives and instilled into their children, influencing countless souls for the cause of Christ. After her husband’s death, she joined Mayfield Creek Baptist Church in Cunningham, Kentucky, where she was loved by all, and referred to as “Granny Annie” by many of the members.
She worked in the cafeteria for the Marshall County Public School system for several years, particularly enjoying the years spent at North Marshall Junior High School.
Ann is survived by her children Michael (Bessie) Hardie of Calvert City, Kentucky, Barbara (Randy) Gipson of Cunningham, Kentucky, and Ray (Adeena) Hardie of Fancy Farm, Kentucky, as well as her grandchildren Shane (Brandy) Hardie, Phil (Diedre) Hardie, Maranda (Jeremiah) Reamer, Jeremy (Katie) Gipson, Jason (Heather) Gipson, Jonathan (Laura) Gipson, Jessica (Jeremy) Beller, Josh Hardie, and Caleb Hardie, and great-grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Hardie, Brayden, Makayla, and Nevaeh Hardie, Jenna, Nathaniel, Anna, and Vance Reamer, Levi, Matthew, Noah, Abigail, Esther, and Lydia Gipson, Nicole and Courtney Gipson, and Greyson and Ella Cate Gipson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings McKinley Huey, Maurine Bennett, James Huey, Helen Garrett, and Rayburn Huey, and numerous nieces and nephews. She also had several great-grandbabies who met her when she walked through the gates of Heaven.
She spent her last days at Dawson Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she was loved and looked after when her need of care exceeded what her family was able to provide. There were many tears shed by the staff in her last hours, which further testifies to the quality of care she received there. Her family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to those who cared for her with such dignity and compassion.
While we, the family, do grieve in our loss, we rejoice in the assurance that she is in the presence of the Lord, free from the pains of her body and the ails of her mind. She trusted Christ as her personal Saviour, which was evidenced in her daily walk with Him and her desire to share the love of Jesus to those around her. We will all miss her greatly, but those of us who share that faith are assured we will see her again in that land where we’ll “Never Grow Old”.
Pallbearers will be Shane Hardie, Phil Hardie, Jeremy Gipson, Jason Gipson, Jonathan Gipson, and Caleb Hardie. Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Hardie, Brayden Hardie, Nathaniel Reamer, Vance Reamer, Levi Gipson, Matthew Gipson, Noah Gipson, and Greyson Gipson.
Friends and loved ones will be received on Monday, February 26 from 5-8 PM at Collier Funeral Home in Benton, KY and again on Tuesday, February 27 from 11 AM-1 PM at Mayfield Creek Baptist Church in Cunningham, Kentucky, and funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM, with Rev. Terry Norris officiating. Burial will be at Marshall County Memorial Gardens.