Stella Faye Hardin 1918 – 2015

Stella Faye Teague Hardin entered the arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, in Fort Worth at the age of 96. Service: 1 p.m. Saturday at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, 800 W. Berry St., Fort Worth, followed by a reception at noon. {{more}}

 

Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth.

 

Stella was born in Olney on Nov. 15, 1918, to Bartow and Veola Teague. Her siblings were Mary Lee, Arthur Teague, Mabel Bearden, Floyd Teague, Mae Cantwell, Birdie Sloan, Alma Knight, Bernie Teague, Vernon Teague and Ruby Oatman.

 

Her family survived the Great Depression on a farm in Olney. Stella graduated from Graham High School. She attended Hardin-Simmons University where she met James William Hardin. Jim and Stella were married Aug. 3, 1941.

 

They moved to Hunt, where Jim was pastor of Sunset Baptist Church. Later they moved to White Deer for Jim to serve as pastor. Their son, Gary Lee, was born in 1942. Jim volunteered to join the Army as a chaplain. In 1946, Stella and their son, Gary, joined Jim in Japan. While in Japan, they visited many trade schools, factories and prisons preaching the Gospel. Stella taught a Bible class of over 500 students. Recently, Stella received an award from the military for these helpful efforts in Japan.

 

After their return, Stella and Jim completed their degrees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while Jim served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Kennedale. Jim and Stella then moved to Yuma, Ariz., where Jim became pastor of First Southern Baptist Church. Their second son, Larry Dwayne Hardin, was born in Yuma in 1953. Stella led faithfully the WMUs, GAs and Sunday schools in Tucson, Lomita, Calif., and Tishomingo, Okla.

 

While in Tucson, they founded 22nd Street Baptist Church. This church is now one of the largest Baptist churches in Arizona.

 

Jim went to be with our Lord in 1974. Then, in 1983, their son, Larry, passed away, which was always one of Stella’s greatest sorrows. She became an active member of Travis Avenue Baptist Church, including the Senior Choir. Stella enjoyed working as a successful furniture salesperson for Sanger-Harris and retired in 1985. She loved spending time with her family, traveling and serving others. With her lifelong love of scripture and music, she began a Bible study in her community and led the singing. A favorite verse of Stella’s was “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.” Psalm 104:33. Her life was a beautiful song to the Lord. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love will live forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hardin; and one son, Larry Hardin.

 

Survivors: Son, Gary Hardin; grandchildren, Jason Hardin and Melinda Smith; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Sophia and Samuel; and many loving nieces and nephews.

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