MSgt Anthony Kent Hardy (Ret)

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MSgt. Anthony Kent Hardy (Ret) affectionally known as "Ant" was the first of six children born to Willie James and Frances Hardy in the Pleasant Hill community of Sardis, Alabama on June 24, 1962. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 1:05 am, he passed away quickly and quietly at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Anthony confessed his life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Good Hope Baptist church under the leadership of the late Pastor A. C. Cosby. In recent years, he joined Selma West Village Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Brenda Tyus.

He attended Hunter Mission Elementary school where he constantly had to take up for his tiny sister, Judith. His middle school years were spent at Shiloh Jr High School where he played football. Anthony is a proud alum of Southside High School Class of 1980. Anthony spent his teenaged years working with Mr.  Fred Harrison and his grandfather, Mr. Willie Rob Hardy, on their farms during the summer picking and selling peas, cucumbers, corn and other produce to make some pocket money.

Anthony loved attending Southside High School football and basketball games no matter where they were played across the state. He was active in the Southside High School Booster Club and did whatever he could to mentor young boys and girls, especially during his tenure as a substitute teacher in the Dallas County School system. His favorite past time was watching tv. He loved watching tv so much that he often changed the television station at this parent’s and siblings’ homes the minute he walked through the door ( no matter what may have been watched by others).

After graduation from high school, Anthony joined the United States Air Force in July 1980. He completed 4 years of full-time service followed by 29 years of service as an Air Force Reservist with a ranking as (retired) Master Sargent. During these years of service, he formed a lifelong friendship with fellow reservist, Myers Hawkins, II. This friendship with Myers and his wife, Lorie remained through sickness and death. In his civilian life, Anthony was employed by several companies including Bush Hog Manufacturing, LABCORP, Peoples Bank & Trust Company and Dallas County Board of Education.

On July 23, 1994, Anthony married Daphine D. Hunter who affectionately called Anthony, “Tony. To their union, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter: Jon ’Tiara Katrice Hardy (affectionally known by most as “TeeTee”) who called her father “Da”. Preceding Anthony in death is his mother, Frances Smiley Hardy and father-in-law, Mr. Willie James Hunter.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Daphine and daughter, Jon ‘Tiara; father, Mr. Willie James Hardy, siblings: Curtis (Wendy) Martin of Birmingham, AL; Judith A. Hardy and  Rodney ( Dorothy) Hardy, Sr. both of Selma, AL; Claudia M. Hardy , Wenona ( Douglas, Sr.) Taylor and Sharonda Hardy of Birmingham, AL; Mother-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Hunter and four sisters-in-laws: Helen(Billy) Hardy, Clara Hardy, Karen Hunter and Lillian Dunning; two-brothers-in-law: Willie Dunning and Rickey Dunnings. Anthony has five aunts: Georgia Moore, Lorna Hardy, Annie Ruth Fails, Sara Smiley and Emma (Willie) Hyatt along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, 1980 classmates, military colleagues and other friends.

In later years, Anthony spent much of his time at his beloved “county club” (aka The Car Wash) daily with his dear friend Charles Perry and the rest of the Car Wash Crew. When not at the car wash, Anthony was found swapping the latest community news with Lee Cunningham over Sunday dinners and other family gatherings.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 1:00pm from the Good Hope Baptist Church with the Reverend John L. Ward, officiating and Pastor Brenda Tyus, eulogist.  Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with Aubrey Larkin's Lewis Brothers Funeral Home serving with excellence through professional service.  Mr. Hardy will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral hour at the church.

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