Ardith Hay Beadles

The devoted daughter of the late Thomas Robert Hay, Senior, and Ardith Bastow Hay, Ardith adored her childhood hamlet in the mountains of Andrews, North Carolina. Ardith had desired to return and spend the remaining years of her life in the "Rodda house." It was previously owned by Dr. John S. Rodda, who, along with Dr. Charles O. Van Gorder, are mentioned in Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation." She had lovingly restored and updated the house with its wormy chestnut walls, and planned to reside there to help take care of her aging parents.

Ardith graduated from Women's College (now UNC-Greensboro) with a B.A. in history. It was then she met her husband, a N.C. State student and the roommate of her older brother. He had admired the photograph of her and insisted on meeting this beautiful lady. Upon their marriage, they lived in Laurel, MD and later settled in Durham, NC.

Ardith loved being a homemaker and taking care of their two daughters. She was a talented seamstress and treasured making lovingly detailed clothes for the girls. Ardith enjoyed taking ballet lessons while younger and inspired her older daughter to pursue the art. Both girls laugh about being requested to put their feet in the "third position" while posing for pictures. Ardith was a substitute teacher at the girls' elementary school and was adored by her students. She became her younger daughter's first grade teacher later in the school year, and made her daughter address her as "Mrs. Beadles" instead of "Mom." Later on, she became the manager of a ladies' clothing store, La Vogue, and revelled being able to work full-time outside of the home at last. After retirement, she found the most pleasure in being a grandma, "Nana," to her grandtwins and another granddaughter 15 months later. Other passions of Ardith's included playing the piano, swimming at Junaluska Mill (aka the Hay's public pool), knitting, the music of Kris Kristofferson, driving in convertibles - especially her husband's Austin Healey - and dining out with him. Ardith willingly swapped parcels of land with the National Forest Service so that the Choga public access boat ramp could be built at Nantahala Lake. She also treasured the Florida beaches, and had fond memories of visiting the Hay family, especially her grandparents, Neil and Levada Hay, and cousin Karen Hay Willes in Boynton Beach.

Surviving are daughters Ardith Elyse Hertzog and husband Scott of Kannapolis, NC; Elena Beadles Moul of Raleigh, NC and grandchildren Harrison Robert & Hermione Elspeth Moul, and Celeste ("Peri") Evangeline Hertzog.

In addition to her parents, Ardith was preceded in death by her dear husband of 48 years, Robert Leon Beadles; brother, Thomas Robert Hay, Junior, and beloved son-in-law, David Michael Moul.

The family is grateful for the superb care of both Raleigh facilities, Abbotswood at Stonehenge and TerraBella of Northridge, where she resided for the last 14 years after the death of her husband. Plans are made to return Ardith to Valleytown Cemetery in her hometown.

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