Alma Lou Hardin

Alma Lou Shively Hardin, known affectionately as "Mama Lou," passed away peacefully on Sunday August 21, 2017, at Sagepoint Senior Living Center. Prior to that she had lived at The Maples and Abbey Manor in La Plata after moving to MD in 2007. For most of her life, almost 90 years, she had lived in her beloved Kentucky and was proud she never lost her accent! She is survived by her children, Nancy Hardin Gasparovic of Fredericksburg, VA; Danny Hardin (Gail) of Glasgow, KY; and son, Steven Douglas Hardin of Indian Head, MD. Also survived by her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren: Douglas Morgan Hardin (Holli) of Georgetown, KY; Shannon Gasparovic Christianson (Mark) and their children, Sutton and Sloane, of Tualatin, OR; Ladd Gasparovic (Stephanie) and their children, Milena and Mats of Wilmington, NC. Born in Beaver Dam, KY on December 7, 1927, to Elbert and Nannie Shively, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Leslie Maurice Shively and Frances Darlene Shively as well as her husband, Douglas who died in 1974. In 1946 she met Douglas Hardin, a soldier just returned from the war, and after a 6 week courtship were married and lived their almost 30 years together in Beech Creek, KY, a small coal mining town depicted in "Sixteen Tons," a song written by a native son, Merle Travis, and made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. It was there they raised their 3 children Nancy, Danny and Steve who never doubted their unconditional love and were encouraged in all facets of their lives: school and academics, sports, music, and especially their relationship with God. She was a very active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church for almost 40 years where she served alongside her husband who was a deacon, and together they were involved in all facets of the ministry. She was proud of having initiated the Girl's Auxiliary there, taught Sunday School and Training Union, YWA Leader, was President and served in many offices of the Women's Missionary Union at the county and state levels also. She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1945, Central City High School, and tried to never miss reunions and alumni gatherings. Well known for her humanitarian work, she delighted in taking care of people wherever she saw a need, especially children and elderly. After moving to Madisonville, KY when in her late 60's, she sought education wherever she could find it. She was trained in Hospice care, Laubach Adult Literacy, Nutrition, Red Cross life saving and loved teaching Bible studies, aerobics, fitness, crafts, cooking and numerous courses at her senior centers and churches throughout the years. She especially was thrilled to teach reading one on one to adults. Her volunteer work was notorious and she loved those countless hours she could help others. She had very few "paying jobs" in her life but she did love selling cosmetics, enjoying the visits with her customers, while she won numerous awards for sales as well as esteem from her fellow Avon, Luzier and Mary Kay representatives. She also worked as Extension Assistant in the University of KY Extension Dept for 5 years in Madisonville teaching Expanded Food and Nutrition to needy families. She had a zest for life and often a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Her varied interests included cooking, physical fitness, reading, dancing, bicycling, roller skating, painting/needlework, listening to gospel music, and traveling which in later years took her across the country to visit her "beloved great grands!" Other than her family, she was most proud of the times she served as a missionary under the Home Mission Board of the SBC. Those included a year in Tulsa, OK ministering to battered women in a homeless shelter and at Berea College where she was a house mother and counselor in the girls' dormitory. A Viewing will be held at the La Plata United Methodist Church, 3 Port Tobacco Rd on Friday, Sept 1, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1 Merle Travis Way, Drakesboro, KY on Sunday, Sept 10, following a Viewing from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and Service at 2:00pm. Memorial contributions can be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church, address above, or Sagepoint Senior Living Center, 10200 La Plata Rd., La Plata, MD 20646, where she received such loving, compassionate care in her final years.

Alma Lou Hardin

December 7, 1927 - August 20, 2017