Paula Hardy (8-7-11)

COMMERCE - Paula Niven Hardy, wife of Charles Lambdin Hardy, Jr., entered into rest on Sunday, August 7, 2011.
Born in Gainesville on September 7, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Noama Niven Pugh and Paul Harrison Niven.

She was a 1957 graduate of Gainesville High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics from Brenau Women’s College. While at Brenau, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She received her Education Degree from the University of Georgia. A respected elementary school teacher, Paula taught for one year in the Cumming City School System and for 32 years in the Commerce City School System. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority.

Mrs. Hardy has served on the Board of Trustees for Brenau University as well as a member of the Brenau Alumnae Association.

She was an avid volunteer who always believed in giving back to her community. She was a member of the Commerce Garden Club, the Tumbling Waters Society, Grassroots Art Program in Gainesville, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, a Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor for over 30 years, served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a member of the Friends of the Library, the Women's Auxiliary of the Commerce Fire Department and served as the Swim Coach for the Commerce "Tiger" Sharks from 1989 - 1992. She also served as a Coordinator for "Our Town" play production (Commerce's first performing arts event in the Commerce Cultural Center)
During her life, Mrs. Hardy has received the following honors: Outstanding Young Woman Award in 1971; Commerce Elementary School Teacher of the Year Award in 1984; Georgia Parks and Recreation Society Volunteer Award in 1986 and Brenau University's Outstanding Alumnae Award in Community Service in 1998.

She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sunny Niven McDonald.

In addition to her husband of 49 years, Paula is survived by her three children, Tracey Hardy Newcomer and her husband, Doug; Charles Lambdin Hardy, III, and his wife, Sabrina; and Ellen Hardy Shea and her husband, Peter. Mrs. Hardy is also survived by her grandchildren: Elizabeth Clare Newcomer, Charles Issac Newcomer, Anna Caroline Hardy, Lambdin Barrett Hardy, Annie Perry Shea and Mary Maguire Shea; stepfather, William Douglas Pugh; sister Candy Niven O’Kelley and husband, Herschel; and brother, Ronald Paul Niven as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, at the Commerce First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paula's memory to Jackson County Relay for Life. Please make checks payable to the American Cancer Society (in the memo line: Relay for Life of Jackson County, GA), 1684 Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens, GA 30605, or the First Baptist Church Commerce, 1345 North Elm Street; Commerce, Georgia, 30529.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899 is in charge of arrangements.