God, in His infinite wisdom, dispatched His angels from Heaven to bring home, Shirley Ann Tucker Hardy, on Friday, January 12, 2024. She was born on September 10, 1950 to the late Roy Nathaniel Tucker and Bessie Fannie Claiborne Tucker, and was the youngest child and only girl born to this union along with seven sons.
She was preceded in death by her brothers – Roy “Shorty” Tucker, Thomas L. Tucker (Arethea), Clifton “Head” Tucker (Doris), Willie Tucker, Sr., Lewis Tucker, Sr. (Grace), James Tucker (Elizabeth) and Harold Claiborne (cousin/brother); son – Gary Gholson; nephews – Harold Tucker and Tyrone Tucker, Sr.; sister-in-law – Joyce Johnson, and brother-in-law – Sonny Hardy.
Shirley dedicated her life to Christ at an early age at Poplar Lawn Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. H. Watkins. She loved the Lord and was a continuous faithful and dedicated servant of Poplar Lawn.
Shirley was a 1968 Graduate of Luther H. Foster High School in Nottoway County. After graduation she continued her education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a Concentration in Special Education. Her lifetime career was teaching. She taught for over three decades during which she taught kindergartners and students with special needs. Her dedication and commitment to learning and teaching were strong as evidenced by the fact that she spent countless hours preparing to teach each day.
On July 28, 1975 Shirley was united in marriage to Robert “Bobby” Hardy. This union was blessed with three lovely daughters – Bess Fenita, Keisha Cherele, and Christin Elizabeth -- and an adorable son, Michael Deantae.
Shirley was a member of the Prince Hall Affiliation (PHA) where she held many positions in all of the PHA Houses, including the Head of each. Specifically, she was a faithful member and leader in the following: Virginia State Council of Assemblies, Order of the Golden Circle # 144 PHA, Jeshua Court #4 Heroines of Jericho PHA, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection, Zipporah Court #8 PHA, and Royal Court of Cyrenes #3 PHA. She also was a member and a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Stars.
Shirley was a caring, fun-loving person, who never met a stranger. She loved to laugh and loved people. Her contagious smile and laughter will be memorable in our hearts forever.
Her love and memories will be cherished forever by, her devoted and loyal husband, Robert “Bobby”; faithful and committed daughters – Bess (Derick), Keisha, and Christin; dedicated son, Michael (Jacquelyn); and her bundles of joy grandchildren – Nathaniel Lavell, Londyn Jah`liah, Alona Ann, Alexis Kennedy, Eden Elyse, Ezra Roy-Thomas, Elias Michael; devoted niece (“sister”), Dr. Carolyn M. Tucker (Theotis); “bonus son”, Willie “Beasley” Tucker; one brother, Cloyd “Pecker” Tucker (Inez); and sisters-in-law – Mae Tucker, Sherry Hardy and Zenobia Goode; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends.
Viewing Friday, January 19, 2024 from 12 to 7PM.
Funeral Service Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 1:00PM at Poplar Lawn Baptist Church, Blackstone. Interment church cemetery.
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