Obituary for Mary Emma Jones Hardeman

Mary Emma Jones Hardeman peacefully passed away into God’s arms on Monday, March 17, 2025, at her residence in Addington Place, Dublin, GA. Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman will oversee arrangements. Family members will receive friends on Wednesday, March 19 from 6:00-8:00 pm in Southerland Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 20, at Mt. Ararat Free Will Baptist Church, with interment following in the church cemetery. Her dear friend and pastor, Rev. Roy Woods, will be officiating.  

Mary was born on July 5, 1941, in Dodge County. Preceded in joining the Lord are her parents: Franklin Spurgeon Jones and Maddie Sue McCranie Jones; her husband, Charlie “Pete” Hardeman; and her sister, Jeanette J. Paul.

Mary is survived by three siblings: Bobbie J. Hardeman (Charles) of Eastman, GA, Betty Sue J. Downs (Earl) of Kathleen, GA, and John “Johnny” Jones (Ann) of Rhine, GA. She also has several loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.  

Mary lived in Dodge County, where she was raised in a loving and close-knit family. She graduated from Dodge County High School in 1960. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and church member. Mary’s father, Rev. Spurgeon Jones, was a prior pastor at Mt. Ararat Free Will Baptist Church. While her health afforded, she was a constant fixture at Mt. Ararat. She enjoyed the fellowship and her church family immensely. She had a smile and a joke for everyone.  

Mary served in several capacities: Sunday school teacher, singer, Youth leader, and Church clerk. She attended services faithfully and enjoyed church socials with her famous potato salad and fried chicken. Mary’s faith was the foundation of her life, and she touched many with her devotion to God and her community.

Mary was the proud and loving mother of Wanda Hardeman Sowell (Fallaw) of Pittsburgh, PA, Randall Hardeman of Roddy, GA, and Matthew Hardeman (Michelle) of Dublin, GA. She was a cherished grandmother to Tessa Sowell, Jesse Sowell, Brianna Hardeman, and Emma Hardeman. Mary was affectionately known as “Nana” to her granddaughters, whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed countless tea parties and sleepovers. She was a friend to many – including the Atlanta Braves. Mary enjoyed watching and cheering from her recliner for “her team,” of which she knew the players' names and most of their stats.

Mary worked at American Yard Products in McRae, GA, and retired after many years of dedicated service. In retirement, she worked as a private sitter, providing compassionate care for those in need. Mary had a caring heart for all her clients.

Luke 23:43: “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”