Thentress Hardy Jr.

Thentress Hardy Jr., age 82, of Stockbridge, Georgia entered into rest on 05/09/2021. Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, May 17, 2021 at 11:00 am in our Hattie G. Watkins Memorial Chapel 163 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236. *Service can be watched via Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/watkins.jonesboro/ Thentress (Ted) Hardy Jr. was born on Feb 22, 1939 in South Hill, Virginia, to the late Thentress Hardy Sr. and Angeline Hardy. Ted worked part-time as a school bus driver while attending East End High School in South Hill, Virginia. Upon Ted’s graduation in 1957, he served in United States Marine Corps, from1957-1960, and served overseas at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Once discharged, Ted married Dorothy Simmons in Oct 1961 and moved to New York City. Ted then began his career as a Tractor Trailer Driver with the United States Postal Service. In 1965, Ted was employed by the New York City Transit Authority, as a conductor/operator/switchman/dispatcher. He remained employed with the New York City Transit Authority for 25 years, until his retirement in 1990. Even though retired, Ted always enjoyed keeping busy; so he worked briefly as a chauffeur and as a personal driver/caregiver for his elderly aunt Margaret Hawkins-Andrews, until her death. He was known as “Mr. Reliable” and always enjoyed to driving someone around town to sightsee when visiting New York City or Atlanta or just taking them to and from the from the airport when going on vacation. In 1987, Ted married Ethel Stephens, and in 2007, Ted and Ethel, moved to Stockbridge Georgia. Ted and Ethel enjoyed meeting their new neighbors, doing errands for people, and being close to their grandkids. Ted and Ethel were always fun, personable, light-hearted people. Ted even earned the nickname “mayor” of Saint Margrit Village. Ted was also a member of the New York City Transit Authority’s Southern Region Retirement Chapter, where he enjoyed planning the Annual Dinner-Dances, and he was a member of the Salem Baptist Alzheimer’s Group. Ted is predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Simmons-Hardy (d, 1981); his second wife Ethel Stephens-Hardy (d, 2021) and his sister, Ernestine Bracey (d, 2012). He is survived by his two children, Denise (Al) King in New Jersey; and Cleon (Kicia) Hardy in Georgia; 4 grandchildren; Camille King, Corin King, Bryce Hardy, and Jordan Hardy; his nephews Eric and Charles Bracey, his cousin Curtis Hardy; his buddy, Lawrence (Tyrone) Phillips; and a host of other relatives, neighbors and friends. A special thanks to Jackie Griffith, Donna Jackson, Ben Simmons, Danny Simmons, Delores Simmons and Tara Simmons. Final Rites and Interment Entrusted to: Oris P. Jones Funeral Home Final Arrangements Entrusted To: Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home Jonesboro Chapel "Service with Compassion" 163 North Avenue Jonesboro, Georgia 30236 (678) 479-0806 Anthony L. Watkins, President