Betty Hardin Aldridge was born November 6, 1929 near Blytheville, Arkansas and died March 5, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Aldridge; parents Boyd and Laura Hardin; brother, Jim Hardin, and sister, Mary Alice Hardin Morris.  She is survived by her brother, Doug Hardin of Hernando, Mississippi; five nieces and nephews; and seventeen great-nieces and great-nephews.

Betty was never blessed with children of her own, but all children were drawn to her loving and kind presence.  As a charter member of First United Methodist Church of Southaven, while the congregation was meeting in a tent, she opened her home on Staunton Drive every Sunday as the 'keeper of the nursery'.

A 1948 graduate of Horn Lake High School, she related to me how, during her early years of high school, the school Superintendent, Mr. L. W. Owens, offered many encouraging words to her.  In doing that he was building up her confidence that she had the intelligence and personality to be successful in her life….and indeed she was.  For twenty-eight years she did secretarial and office work for Desoto Redi-Mix (later to become Lone Star Concrete).  In addition, for a number of years she was the secretary, and oversaw the office, on 'sale days' at Dealers Auto Auction.  With wisdom and careful management, she was able to more than provide for her long-term care in her last years.

Betty sacrificed much of her personal time and energy for years to care for our mother, which made it possible for our mom to live in her own home until her death in 1998.  "Sis' was one of the most loving and forgiving persons anyone could have ever known….always with a smile and a kind word….never complaining about anything.

Should anyone wish to remember her with a memorial, please consider Wesley Meadows Retirement Center, 1325 McIngvale Road, Hernando, 38632, and please designate it for the "Sunday Fund".  Wesley Meadows has been her 'home' since January of 2014.  There she has lived with contentment and the blessing of loving care from the staff.

It has been my special blessing to be her 'baby brother', and with gratitude for her witness and influence in my life, I submit this in her precious memory.  Doug Hardin