Jacquelyn Joyce Stites Hardy

Jacquelyn Joyce Stites Hardy of Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Freeman Hospital, in Joplin, Mo., at the age of 89 following a brief illness. Jackie was born Aug. 20, 1930, in Centralia, Mo., to Charles A. and Pansy (Patton) Stites. After graduating from Centralia High School, she worked for Kroger Grocery. On Aug. 21, 1949, she married Harry Joe Hardy in Centralia. They raised one daughter, Joy, and two sons, Randy and Mark, on their family farm in Sheldon, Ml.

Shortly after marrying Joe, Jackie became the first female USPS mail carrier in Lamar, Mo. For many years, she worked for Sheldon State Bank and Heritage State Bank in Sheldon.

Jackie enjoyed interior decorating, was an avid collector of antiques and an awesome cook. She loved watching college football. Jackie was known by all in her community for her sweet nature and wonderful sense of humor. Of all her accomplishments, that of wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother were truly her greatest.

Jackie was preceded in death by her father, Charles; mother, Pansy; husband, Joe; son, Randy; grandson, Austin; and four sisters, Marjorie Whitmire, Jane Baldridge, Katherine Harrison and Billie Hultin.

Jackie is survived by her daughter, Joy Halseth of Joplin, Mo.; son, Mark Hardy of Sheldon, Mo.; sister, Phyllis Stites of Parkville, Mo.; grandsons, Yancy McKnight (wife Lynn) of Austin, Texas, Michael Hardy of Joplin, Mo., Chance Halseth, of Joplin, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Mollie Jain Halseth, Brody and Brock McKnight, Alexendria Hardy, Cheryl, Gabby, Aaron and Hadley Hardy; and her furry family, canine companions, Abby and Max.

Jackie’s family extends a very special thank you to John and Sandy Kirby for the loving care and special friendship they bestowed on their mother and grandmother.

Family will hold a memorial visitation on Saturday, May 30, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, Mo.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.