Ralph Curtis Hardy

Mr. Ralph Curtis Hardy, 83, of 2853 Old Highway 601, Mount Airy, passed away Sunday morning, February 21, 2010, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mr. Hardy was born October 6, 1926, in Surry County, the second of five children born to the late Brady Edgar and Addie Frances Smith Hardy. Ralph was a heavy equipment operator for 46 years at Sherman Simpson Inc. and was later employed by the Surry County Landfill. He was a faithful member of Piney Grove Baptist Church until his health declined. He served as a deacon and a member of the cemetery committee member for many years. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret Carson Calloway Hardy of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Brenda Davis of Mount Airy, Kay and Russell Simpson of Winston-Salem, and Patti and Dennis Miller of Thurmond; five grandchildren and their spouses, Beth and Neil Gordon of Ararat, David Simpson of Winston-Salem, Allison and Josh Allen of Pfafftown, Laura and Josh Hazelwood of Dobson, and Olivia Miller of Thurmond; five great-grandchildren, Katherine Gordon and Samuel Gordon, both of Ararat, Kayleigh Allen and Liam Allen, both of Pfafftown, and Brady Hazelwood of Dobson; a brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Wilma Hardy of Kernersville; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hardy was preceded in death by a sister, Nina Hardy Moser; and two brothers, Claude J. Hardy and James Paul Hardy. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Piney Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark A. Reece, Jr. and the Rev. Kermit L. Gray officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Piney Grove Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Piney Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1022, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and the staff of the Medical-Surgical Unit at Northern Hospital of Surry County for the love, care, and compassion shown to Ralph during his illness. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Hardy family.