Jimmie Ray Hardin

Jimmie Ray Hardin, 89, of East Bend, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Jimmie was born on March 2, 1936, in the original historic Flat Rock area of Henderson County to the late Uncas Duncan Hardin and Ella Mae Bell Hardin.

While still in Henderson County, Jimmie came to know and help with the livestock of Carl Sandburg and his wife, Lillian. Jimmie was a self-taught handy man who could do most anything from wood working to welding. He started learning many trade skills at a young age and continued perfecting them throughout his 68 year working career as a maintenance supervisor. Jimmie was known to all to be kind, sharing and honest in all he did. In his early years, Jimmie was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed hanging out at Lake Lure, Linville Gorge, and Pisgah National Park. His love of the outdoors led him to keeping a garden and growing plants and trees.

In addition to his parents, Jimmie was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Hardin, son, Gregory Dewayne Hardin, brother, Uncas Billy Hardin and sister, Betty Ann Gibbs. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Victoria Patrice Krossman (Dennis), grandchildren, Kaitlin Bryant (Sloan), Benjimin Hardin, Laural Sloan (Austin), great grandchildren, Rhiannon Hardin, Shiloh Bryant, Shepherd Bryant and sister, Kitty Kidd.

The family will visit friends on Saturday, December 13 at Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 PM at Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with associate pastor of worship Sloan Bryant officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Yadkin Nursing Center, 903 W. Main Street, Yadkinville, NC.