Matthew Hardee

Matthew Francis Hardee, 97, died Friday, March 13, 2015 at Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown.

Mr. Hardee is survived by his wife of 72 years, Daphne (Billie) Potter Hardee and four children, Charles Matthew Hardee and wife Betty, Ann Hardee Jones and husband Richard, Jane Hardee Horst and husband Pete and James Marion Hardee and wife Beverly. There are 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was born on April 17, 1917 to Matthew Francis and Sarah Martha (Mattie) Hardee in Pitt County, NC.

Francis and Billie were married on July 11, 1943 in Fort Riley, Kansas. He served his country in the Army under General Patton as First Lieutenant during WWII. When he returned to Elizabethtown he was Co-Owner of Potter Motor Company for seven years. Then he owned and operated Farmers Milling Supply for 25 years.

He took up the sport of golf and enjoyed much time with friends and family playing the game. Francis was a member of Elizabethtown Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent and a deacon for many years.

The services will be at Elizabethtown Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 16, 2015. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary following the services.

Gratitude is expressed to the Liberty Hospice staff for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to Liberty Hospice, 44 McNeill Plaza, Whiteville, NC 28472 or Elizabethtown Baptist Church Building Fund, 1800 West Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC 28337