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GABRIEL HARDEMAN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for GABRIEL HARDEMAN
TAKIA
July 9, 2025
HE WAS A GREAT HOMEROOM TEACHER/COACH/GYM TEACHER! I NEVER KNEW HOW GREAT HE WAS TILL AFTER HIS DEATH! RIP. MR HARDEMAN!
Mr. Hardeman will never be forgotten! #1 fan! Annette I love you!!!! Gabe music still plays in my everday rotation of music!
DARRELL Lee
June 16, 2020
Darrell Lee
June 18, 2013
"I'm still the #1 fan of Gabriel & Annette Hardeman! I loved everthing he wrote and I thank God for knowing him! He also was my gym teacher at Strawberry Mansion High School!My Aunt Diane Dixon was a member of The Delegation! My deepest smpathy to Annette and the Hardeman Family! I love you with the love of the Lord!Gospel music will never be the same!"
David Ford
March 15, 2013
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my co-laborer in the Music Ministry and Fraternity brother. I was just watching "It's Mighty Nice" on YouTube and began to think about all of his contributions to my music ministry. I know Brother Hardeman is in Heaven making some beautiful music.
Francine Swann-Seams
October 2, 2012
Dear Hardeman family:
My heart and prayers are with you. I just learned of Gabe's passing and apologize for this late acknowledgement. I was blessed to have known him during our years at WVSC. His songs and beautiful personality touched everyone around him. Be comforted in the knowledge that he had such a profoundly positive impact on all he touched.
Renee Rochester
August 15, 2012
I am sending prayers to the hardeman family. I only met Mr. Hardeman a few short years back when he worked with the music department for International Fellowship of Churches under the leadership of the presiding prelate Bishop Audrey F. Bronson. I pray that you find comfort in knowing that he was a true man of god. He had a way and a particular style of teaching music. It was easy and fun to learn from him. There is one song that stood out for me from rehearsal. This song " Go On Weep For Now". It continues to ring in my ear every since I learned it. He had so much passion when he taught this song. It is one of my favorites. May his continue to shine on Mr. Hardeman through the family. Lord, an angel has come to sing for his father.
June 29, 2012
Our sympathy goes out to the Hardeman Family. We don't have to tell about the celestrail sounds and words that came out of Rev. Hardeman's mouth. He will truly be missed by all who met him.
Connie Pope
Greater Turner Chapel AME
Atlanta, GA
HARRY MONROE
June 26, 2012
TO THE HARDEMAN: GABE WAS A GOOD FRIEND. I USE TO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AND HEARING HIM SING AND PLAY AT BETTY'S HOUSE AT HOMECOMING. GOD HAS A NEW ANGEL
June 25, 2012
he was a great teacher, coach and mentor. his presence impacted so many.
Barbara (Murray) Guyhto
June 25, 2012
He will truly be missed. I saw Gabe at our WVSU Conference, here in Atlanta, a couple of years ago. I remember his kind and gentle demeanor, from school and on.
I extend my sincere condolences to his wife and family. He will be sorely missed...but his music and talents will continue to keep smiles on our faces forever!
Rest in peace, Gabe! We love you!
BMG (class of '64)
W. Marshall Petty
June 24, 2012
Gabe will be terribly missed.WVSU and the music will never be the same.
W. Marshall Petty
Rev. Dr. Mary Thompson
June 23, 2012
Mrs. Hardeman & Family,I extend profound condolences in the loss of your husband and beloved,Gabriel,a former classmate at Philadelphia Lutheran Theological Seminary. (1995)
Gladys Clements
June 22, 2012
To Annette, Michael, & Family, you have my deepest sympathy in the lost of a great man.I met Gabe when he started the Mass Choir at Murphy AME Church in Chester,he then pick several of us to join the AME Mass in Phila. and when we recorded the taping what a wonderful experience and went on to tour with AME Mass.I will never forget him or you Annette.May God continue to give you strength in the coming days.
Theresa Dunston
June 22, 2012
Heaven has surely received a singing angel! We will miss you Gabe! The family is in our prayers!
The Dunston Family!
June 22, 2012
I am extending my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I knew Gab, as we call him, during our days at West Virginia State College (now University). I always found him to be a very kind and generous person and of course always with a song. I can hear him now. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Willa Matthews Johnson
June 22, 2012
THE CREATOR HAS ORDERED GABE'S STEPS TO A FINER PLACE,A PLACE IN A FIELD OF DREAMS. HE HAS SURRENDERD HIS POWER TO THE DEVINE ONE.HE HAS GONE TO THE UPPER ROOM.HE IS BLESSED
Danny Boston
June 22, 2012
I attended West Virginia State when Gabe was a student there and I was fortunate to have known him well. More recently, after decades, we reconnected and corresponded periodically via phone and e-mail. What a blessing! Gabe was a kind heart and a tender soul—one of those special individual s who was always a cut above the crowd in everything he did. His musical gift was only one of the many dimensions in which he stood out. For his family and friends, I know the pain of his loss runs deep, but think of the incredible blessing you received by being able to share his life. I pray the wonderful legacy he left behind and the precious moments you spent together will give you comfort during this time of grief. One day we will all be reunited. God give you strength.
Class of 75
Gaynell McMillan
June 22, 2012
May God strengthen you in this your time to mourn your loss. My deepest sympathy.
Celeste Roberts-Ruffin
June 22, 2012
To Annette and Michael and Hardeman Family
May your special and loving memories bring you comfort at this time.
May peace and love rule your hearts
God Bless You
Camille Shipman-Stephens
June 22, 2012
Gabe will be dearly missed by our WVSU Atlanta Chapter! We are praying for you and your family at this time and please contact us if you need anything.
Vicki Hicks
June 22, 2012
"Feels Like Fire; To the Chief Musician". I have been blessed for many years by the music of Gabriel Hardeman. The Heavenly Chorus has just added another voice! Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. The Hardeman Family have my deepest sympathy.
Stuart Bacon
June 22, 2012
Hello Anette,
My name is Stuart Bacon. I am a graduate of WVSU and a Member of Kappa Alpha Psi. I am deeply saddened as I had worked with Gabriel on several things in the musical realm. I had called him last week to check on him and got no answer. I was concerned because he was in the hospital when I last spoke with him. I had been praying that he would turn for the better. Knowing what I know about GOD, I'm believing that is just what has happened. HE said "Well done, my good and faithful servant." It is now time for him to rest.
God bless you and your family. If there is anything that I can do don't hesitate to contact me. ([email protected])
Michael Orr
June 22, 2012
Hardeman Family: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and give you life. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Love, Bach (Kappa) and Cinnie(DST)WVSU
Betty Bates
June 22, 2012
Hello Annette and Family,
I was so devastated to hear about the transition of your loving husband, father, son,etc. and my talented friend Gabe. As a fellow WV State alumni, I was honored to have known him, especially, as he had shared his musical talents with us. and shall always remember him as a kind and as a gentleman! I shall keep you all in my thoughts and prayers! I shall miss him dearly. Sincerely, Betty M. Bates, Eastern Region Director, WVSUAA.
June 22, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the Hardeman Jr. family during your time of grief...Psalm 46:1...God is for us a refuge and strength, A help that is readily to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
Hester
June 22, 2012
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband. May the promise of our Lord Jesus comfort the family during this difficult time. He assures us that soon he will wipe away every tear from our eyes and death will be no more.
Angela
June 22, 2012
To the family of Gabriel, you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. May special memories of him bring you comfort at this time. God will one day swallow up death and wipe the tears from all faces. Thinking of the family.
June 21, 2012
To: Annette and Family
We celebrate the life of Gabe a "True Chief Musician". I thank God he allowed our live's to cross. I'll never forget that night (all night) in the studio with Pattie L'Belle, Freddy Washington & his Ensemble,Gabe & you all, worked until we were hoarse on a track that never really came out. But those were the days.
Praying Comfort for you and your family.
Clarence H. Bagwell
Antioch Baptist Church
Camden, NJ
ALTHEA MCBURROWS
June 21, 2012
WHEN MR.GABRIEL HARDEMAN FIRST CAME TO STRAWBERRY MANSION JUNIOR HIGH, HE WAS A CRISP, CLEAN ,CLEAR TALKING PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR WHO WORE A WHITE SHIRT, AND CAMEL COLORED KHAKI PANTS AND KEPT A WHISTLE ON A CORD AROUND HIS NECK.
IT WAS NOT VERY LONG BEFORE WE WOULD HEAR HIM IN AUDITORIUM DURING LUNCH TIME PLAYING THE PIANO. WE WOULD GATHER AROUND AND SING, AND HE DID NOT DISCOURAGE US FROM DOING SO. AFTER A WHILE MANY OF US PREFERRED STANDING AROUND LISTENING TO HIM PLAY WHILE WE SANG, RATHER THAN EAT LUNCH. THE SONGS HE PLAYED WERE VERY CONTEMPORARY FOR THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVED. HIS STYLE OF MUSIC WAS THE BRIDGE FOR MANY OF US WHOSE CHURCHES ONLY SANG HYMNS AND ANTHEMS. IN FACT, BY THE TIMES MR. HARDEMAN BEGAN TO PRESENT THE HORNS TO OUR PERFORMANCES THERE WAS A BIT OF RESISTANCE FROM PARENTS WHO THOUGHT THE MUSIC WAS NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE SOUNDS OF TRADITIONAL WORSHIP MUSIC, BUT ONCE THEY MET MR. HARDEMAN AND SAW OUR JOY AT SINGING TO HONOR GOD'S WORK, MUCH OF THE RESISTANCE MELTED AWAY.
I AM TRULY SADDENED THAT HE HAS TRANSITIONED. HIS EARTHLY PRESENCE WILL BE MISSED, AND THE LESSONS HE TAUGHT EACH OF US THROUGH HIS WORK WILL NOT BE SOON FORGOTTEN.
TO ANNETTE, WITH WHOM I SANG IN THE OVERBROOK SINGERS,I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE YOUR PAIN OF LOSS, AND THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED MINUTE BY MINUTE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CROWD IS GONE.
TO MICHAEL, YOU HAVE MY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THIS PART OF LIFE'S JOURNEY IN A PERFECT WAY.
TO MOTHER HARDEMAN, I THANK YOU FOR RAISING AN HONORABLE SON, WHO MENTORED AND ENCOURAGED MANY. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
SINCERELY, ALTHEA MCBURROWS
Mark Humphries
June 21, 2012
Greetings
As we celebrate our brother I want to say thanks for sharing your gifts with me and countless others. It was at Strawberry Mansion where I first experience your teaching and musical talents. Your example as a mentor to me impacted my life and you will be greatly missed. May God annoit someone to pick up your mantle and continue to deposit the gift of music and teaching to humanity.
Now Heaven will reveal to you how you so impacted the earth with teachers,singers and musicians. Now your faith has become sight and you see that rainbow that God has placed in the sky.
Enjoy your homecoming withe Cheif Musician.
Pastor Mark Humphries
June 21, 2012
To: Annette, Michael and Mother Hardeman,
Our hearts are heavy with grief, but I can hear Rev. Hardeman say to me Niece everything is going to be alright God has gotten it all under control everything within his timing. We wish we could be there for you but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and if you need anything you know we got your back. Love Judy and Fontella "a.k.a". Niece Hamilton
Elizabeth Boone
June 21, 2012
I did not know Rev. Hardeman personally, but I did meet him at my church, Tyree AME, when he came to preach. What a nice man. No one would ever know he was a world famous songwriter. My prayer are with his family.
Valerie Susan Wells McLoyd
June 21, 2012
To Annette, family and friends,
I to will miss Mr. Hardeman. During the early 70's I met a coolTeacher and Friend. Not only who taught me how to sing, he was there with words of encouragement when I got in trouble in school. Mr. Hardeman had a cool spirit and a listening ear. He was a genius in the music world, he wrote, played instruments, "SANG" and directed some of the greatest singers around. May peace and love rule your hearts, and know that we will miss and cherish our memories. God Bless You
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