Ann Hardee

Mrs. Ann Kinsolving Talley Berry Hardee, age 86, known as “Mama” by her children, and “Maw” by her grandchildren, departed her loving family for her Heavenly home on February 25th, 2021, at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living, Clemmons NC, where she was a longtime resident.

Ann was born in Abingdon, VA on Feb. 6, 1935 to Thomas Edison Talley & wife, Bertha Kinsolving Talley. She was the second of four children born into a home of love and laughter. After graduating from high school, she attended Virginia Intermont College where she received a teaching degree. She returned to her close-knit community and began teaching elementary school. When her high school sweetheart & first love, John Charles Berry, returned from his military duties, they were married June 20, 1956. Together they felt a call to some type of Christian ministry and soon they set out for training at Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, NC.  Time spent at PBC challenged them and refined their desire to serve God with all their heart. This began a life-long pursuit of sharing God in whatever ministry He placed in their path. For many years, they worked in churches, Christian schools, and Christian colleges, teaching young adults, and leading many little ones to know the God they served in an intimate and personal way. While John served in ministry outside the home, Ann became a fantastic cook, able to turn simple ingredients into delectable meals! She delighted in sewing, homemaking, writing, singing, playing accordion and piano, teaching Sunday school, and loving her family. She often told us that all she ever wanted to be was a wife, mother and homemaker!

When John Charles passed away in 2002, Ann was sure she would spend life alone and never remarry. She devoted her time to continuing to cherish her grandchildren and many hours were spent teaching them to sew, cook, play musical instruments and sing, swim and generally enjoy life!

To her delight, and our surprise, a wonderful man named George Hardee came into her life and they were married in 2006.  Together, “Papa” George and Ann ministered to so many in their church and community by acts of service. Each had a such a “giving” heart! Mama Ann made meals for shut-in's that she and George would deliver along with hundreds of loaves of her famous banana bread.

There is not enough room here to tell the full story of 86 years of life well lived but we can say with conviction that she loved life, loved her family, loved the Lord, and desired for all people to know Him. If she had to sacrifice for that to be a reality, it was not too difficult a task.

She is survived by her children:  Merri Berry Holmes & husband, Rev. John Holmes; Donna Berry Padon & husband, Marvin Padon; John “Will” Berry; Joseph Berry & wife, Stacey Berry; Thomas Berry & wife, Christie Berry; daughter-in-law, Donna Blankenship Berry. Along with her children, 11 dearly loved grandchildren & 7 precious great-grandchildren carry on her legacy of love.

Surviving also are her cherished siblings: Donna Talley Garrett, Carol Talley Clifton, Thomas Talley & wife, Julianne; her brothers and sisters by marriage, Yvonne Berry Brown & husband, Preston; Dr. James Berry & wife, Elizabeth; stepchildren Gerry Hardee & wife, Phoebe, Kevin Hardee & wife, Joy Hardee, LeAnna Hardee Stephenson & husband Jay, and each of their wonderful children & grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and first love, Rev. John Charles Berry; and second dearly loved husband, George William Hardee.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the nurses and caregivers at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living, who selflessly cared for our mama over the years. She felt loved! You have provided for her what we could not, in so many ways, and we are forever grateful.

Memorials may be made to:  The Gideons Intl. Bible ministry, Marshall Baptist Church missions fund and Union Grove Baptist Church missions fund.