Yvonne R. Hardee

Yvonne R. Hardee, age 86, of Bradenton, Florida passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Yvonne was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 16, 1936 to the late Herman Miller, Sr. and Lois Faye (Duckett) Riviere.

Yvonne grew up in Wylam, Alabama, attended the Wylam School for elementary school and graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham on January 21, 1954. While attending the University of Alabama, she met Earl Hampton (Hamp) Hardee, Jr. at a friend’s wedding and, after a three-month courtship, they were married on October 29, 1955. Yvonne was 19 years old.

Due to Hamp’s career advancements in the Federal Aviation Administration, the family moved seven times and made many friends along the way. Yvonne lovingly embraced the challenge of establishing a new home with every move. Hamp’s promotions took them to: Evergreen, AL; Crestview, FL; Tallahassee, FL; Florence, SC; Albany, GA; Jacksonville, FL; and Winter Park, FL, where Hamp eventually retired.

Yvonne gave tirelessly of herself to her husband and her children, and later her children’s spouses and her grandchildren. She was a gentle encourager of good character and achievement. She was a faithful friend to many people and had a wonderful gift of hospitality. There was usually a homemade cake or pie to share and a pot of coffee on.

Yvonne and Hamp were charter members of Tuskawilla United Methodist Church in Casselberry, FL, which was founded in 1980. During forty years of membership, Yvonne was very active in the Mary Martha women’s service group and was a faithful member of the choir. She took great pride in creating handmade banners (which she often made with her best friend, Helen Putt), paraments, and other altar decorations and served as head of the Alter Guild for many years. At the beginning of each Christmas season, Yvonne (often with Helen) made sure the Christmas Tree was beautifully decorated with handmade Chrismon ornaments, many of which they made together.

Yvonne served as the registrar for a community Food Bank for seven years, registering each recipient who came for food and compiling the necessary reports to be sent to the Second Harvest organization. In addition to serving the Food Bank, she also served in the church Food Pantry. Yvonne loved her church and truly dedicated her life to serving her church family.

In addition to singing in the church choir, Yvonne had many creative talents and gifts. She enjoyed baking and cooking homemade meals and especially cakes and pies; gardening and anything that involved a green thumb; along with sewing and needlework. Yvonne was a skilled seamstress, making beautiful clothing for herself and her family and items for her home throughout the years.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl Hampton (Hamp) Hardee, Jr. and her older brother, Herman Miller Riviere, Jr, whom she lovingly called “brother” his entire life.

Yvonne leaves behind so many wonderful memories for her family. (Most of which she recorded in photos and videos.) She will be missed greatly and always loved dearly by her three children, two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law, four grandsons, two granddaughters-in-law, and three great-granddaughters.

Surviving family members include her children - Earl Hampton Hardee, III (wife Dorothy), Lesa Yvette Hardee Dailey (husband Tom), and Herman Bruce Hardee (wife Carol); Grandsons- Jim Hardee, Steve Hardee (wife Perrin and daughter Eyla), Jim Dailey (wife Michele and daughters Dagney and Sabal), and Ryan Dailey; Sister-in-law Camellia Riviere, and nephews Audie Jacks and Miller (Mel) Riviere, III.

Yvonne fought a long battle with dementia and was so very courageous to the very end. She dedicated her life to her family, friends, and church community. She will be greatly missed. We take great comfort that God greeted her with “well done, good and faithful servant.”

A celebration of life service will be held at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church in Evergreen, AL.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage spending time with the elderly folks God puts in your path, especially those with dementia, who are often forgotten.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rtslwr.com for the Hardee family.