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Ethel Smith Hardin, a resident of Albuquerque since 1979 passed away on December 14, 2000. She was born on October 9, 1920 in Prestonsburg, KY and is preceded in death by her husband, Lt. General E.C. Hardin Jr., her parents, The Hon. and Mrs. J.D. Smith and her little sister, Peggy. Ethel was a southern beauty with a strong mind who graduated from the University of Louisville in 1945 with a degree in English. She met the love of her life, E. C."Moose" Hardin, Jr. in 1946, married him in 1947 and shared and built his brilliant military career in the Air Force achieving the rank of Lt. General upon his retirement from the Air Force and his subsequent career with the Department of Energy until his death in 1986. Their mutual respect and love for each other is held in high regard by their five children: Melinda M. Hardin of Bellingham, CT, Shelley H. Peters and her husband, Jerry and their children, Rachel, Katie, Camielle, and Thomas of Campbell, CA, Sally Casey and her husband, Dennis and their children, Shelley and Charlie of Albuquerque, and John Hardin of Bellingham, WA. She also is survived by her sister, Alma Howard of Pompano Beach FL and her son, Neel Howard, Jr, her best friend and sister, Joyce Childress of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and her brother, Wood and wife, Fran of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, her sister, Peggy's children, Laura M. Brown and Rick Martin, sister-in-law, Ann Hardin Akers and her son, John and family of Greensboro, NC, sister-in-law, Jen Norbert of Pittsburgh, PA and her children, Greg Norbert and family, Nan Cervantes and family, and Missy Watson and family, and nieces, Jennie Brawner of Carlsbad, CA and Barbara Armstrong and family of Tampa, FL. A special mention needs to be made for her life long friends especially Carolyn Ferrell and Berry Ann Russell who came to visit with her every year for the last 10 years until she was too sick to continue. She touched so many lives with her grace, beauty, dignity, extreme sweetness and generosity. We will remember her through her talent as a writer and the plays she stages and directed. She brought a love of music to her children by sharing her passions with them. Her life was filled with humor and lots of laughter. She carried her love of life and her graciousness in her relationship with Dr. Barbara McAneny, Sheryl Dixon, RN and all the angels in the Presbyterian Hospice Unit. Our family is forever indebted to you all. Services are pending and final interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery in the spring where she will join her rightful place with her husband. French Mortuary is handling the cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or Presbyterian Hospice Unit. French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE.
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