Mrs. Jo F. Bradford-Hardaway's Obituary
Jo F. Hardaway was born November 5, 1946 in Scott County to the late Mr. Leon Bradford, Sr. and Mrs. Fannie Mae Proctor Bradford. She was the oldest of her six siblings and the only daughter. Jo confessed her love for Christ at an early age and was united into the family of faith at Sylvester United Methodist Church. Jo was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Leon Bradford Sr. and two brothers; Mr. Leon Bradford, Jr. and Mr. Larry Bradford. Jo met the love of her life at Alcorn State University, Mr. George Hardaway, Sr. They were united in holy matrimony on July 1st, 1968. She was a woman who stood by her man! Her motto was, "You can talk about me, but you'd better leave George Hardaway alone," and she meant just that! To this union four children were born. After a life of traveling with her military husband, the two made their home in Enterprise, Mississippi. This is when she followed the faith of her husband and was baptized into the Baptist denomination. She joined Zion Hill Baptist Church and continued her walk with the Lord. The family later became members of Bartholomew M. B. Church under the leadership of the late Reverend I. C. Allen. She served Bartholomew faithfully as Sunday School Superintendent, home mission, and usher board member. Jo served as Third Enterprise District Woman Auxiliary President for a number of years. She took her job seriously and would always say, 'Tm only worried about the women!" She served as a Troop Leader of the Meridale Cadette Girl Scout Troop #139, Enterprise, Mississippi, and she served in various other leadership positions. However, the organization that she held closest to her heart was the East Mississippi Baptist State Convention (EMBSC). Whenever East Mississippi needed Jo, she was there. She served faithfully in the finance department of the Woman's Auxiliary, received her diploma in Christian Education from DCEAC, became a certified Dean of Christian Education under the Christian Education Department, and she was an instructor of Parliamentary procedures for the Youth department. Jo had many hobbies such as travelling, crocheting, and quilting, but her true love besides her husband was gardening. Jo loved gardening and flowers. She transformed their back yard from a rocky landscape to a lush and beautiful garden. Jo had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest She leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 47 years, Mr. George Hardaway, Sr., her children; L TC(R) Cassandra (Willie) Miller of Belton, TX; L TC Erinn Shakira (Stefan) Hardaway Roth of National Harbor, MD; Ms. Joan Hardaway of Nashville, TN; Mr. George (Rose) Hardaway, Jr., of Paulding, MS; Min. Tristan (Cassandra) Hardaway of Enterprise, MS; Her Godson Mr. Dekarian Beasley of Newton, MS; Her mother, Ms. Fannie Bradford of Forest, MS; Four brothers: Mr. William Charles (Myra) Bradford; Mr. Jackie (Dorothy) Bradford; Mr. Willie Lee (Linda) Bradford; and Mr. Jimmie Lee Bradford, all of Forest, MS; one uncle, Mr. Wayne (Myra) Bradford, Jr. of Indianapolis, IN; and two aunts, Mrs. Bernice Odee of Jackson, MS, and Mrs. Faye Bradford, Indianapolis, IN; three sisters-in law, Mrs. Bonnie Ballard, Milan, Illinois, Mrs. Annie Robinson, and Mrs. Linda McMahon of Rock Island, Illinois; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one special friend that she loved as her sister, Mrs. Josie (Paul) Douglas; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
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