Maryhardy Bays McElwain

Grenada - MARYHARDY BAYS McELWAIN, of Memphis and formerly of Grenada, died at home Wednesday, February, 27, 2008. Hardy was born in Grenada in March 1941, to Gloria Williams Bays and Leon Bertram Bays, Sr. She was raised in Grenada and graduated from John Rundle High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and masters degree in library science from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, Hardy was president of Kappa Delta Sorority and inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. Hardy served as director of the Elizabeth Jones Library for 27 years and retired from the library in 2006. During her tenure, she was one of the founding members of GLAD, the Grenada Adult Literacy Program, and oversaw the design and construction of the library building on South Line Street. Hardy is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her daughters, Maelyse McElwain Webb and husband Kyle of Memphis, Margaret "Meg" Bays McElwain and husband Frank Turner of Charlotte, NC; one grandson, William Bays Webb of Memphis, a brother, Bert Bays Jr. and wife, Janice of Grenada; nephews, James Harmon Bays and wife, Allyson of Jackson and Chandler Bertram Bays and wife, Tracy of Hodges, AL. The funeral services are Friday, February 29 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Grenada. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Elizabeth Jones Library, P.O. Box 130, Grenada MS 38901, All Saints Episcopal Church, 469 Main Street, Grenada, MS 38901, or to the philanthropy of the donor's choice. Arrangements being handled by: Garner-Harper Funeral Home 662-226-4711