Gerry Painter Hardy

GERRY PAINTER HARDY, age 94, of Dandridge, TN passed away Saturday afternoon, July 23, 2016 at her home. She was born November 19, 1921 in Dandridge, TN, the daughter of the late Hobart and Maggie (Lethco) Painter, where she was a lifelong resident. Gerry was active in her church and community and was well-known by many people during her working years in the county government offices of the Jefferson County Clerk, Trustee’s and the County Agriculture Dept. A dedicated lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Dandridge, she served in many positions over the years, which included WMU Director, Discipleship Chairman, Finance and Building-Grounds committees, church choir, GA leader and both Building Programs for the growth and expansion of the church. She was actively involved in civic clubs being a charter member of the Eastern Star # 438, V.F.W Ladies Auxiliary Gerry will be remembered as a gracious and elegant lady who had a love for flower gardens, antiques and the joy of creating beautiful spaces with her talent of decorating as she placed her touch of flair on many homes in the Dandridge area and also her longtime membership and contribution of time and unselfish labor to the Martha Dandridge Garden Club of which she was greatly inspirational for the garden and flower plantings and maintenance of the Historic Revolutionary Graveyard in downtown Dandridge. She most recently initiated the construction of the new beautiful wrought iron fence around the cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd E. “Shorty” Hardy; son, Phillip Lee Hardy; sister and brother-in-law, Carrie B. and Winfred Moore; brother-in-law, Charles M. Hale. She is survived by her daughter, Julianne (Kenny) Martin; granddaughters, Hannah (George) Garner and Megan Martin; sister, Bea Hale; special caregiver, dear friend and “adopted daughter”, Catherine Hurst; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Many thanks to her caregivers, Sarah Hurst, Gina Jenkins and her multitude of friends from the Martha Dandridge Garden Club and her Church Family for their outpouring of love and support, along with the care by Smoky Mountain Hospice. Funeral services will be held, Monday, July 25, 2016, 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Dandridge with Rev. Dr. Robert Brown and Rev. Dr. Justin Terrell officiating. Interment graveside services will be Tuesday, 11:00am at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorial gifts in memory of Gerry Hardy may be made to the Martha Dandridge Garden Club (Revolutionary Graveyard Maintenance Fund), c/o Sally Sebert, 829 Tucker Place, Dandridge, TN 37725 or the First Baptist Church (Gerry Hardy Memorial), P.O. Box 246, Dandridge, TN 37725. Friends may call at their convenience to pay their respects on Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm prior to services at the church.