Imogene Mauney Hardon

1923 - 2026

TIPPAH COUNTY - TIPPAH COUNTY - Mrs. Imogene Mauney Hardon, a truly wonderful Southern lady and a pillar of her community, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home in the Dry Creek community at the age of 102.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Rex Bullock and Bro. Chris Shinall officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be no graveside service.

Born September 26, 1923, in Tippah County to Theodore Clinton and Mae Mullikin Mauney, she graduated from Pine Grove High School in 1942 and married her high school sweetheart, Jesse James Hardon, that same year. During World War II, she worked in a munitions plant near Memphis and later in Fort Riley, Kansas, while her husband served in the Army.

After WWII, Mrs. Hardon began a remarkable 55-year career in education. She taught at Dry Creek Elementary while earning her Bachelor's degree from Blue Mountain College in 1956, later receiving her Master's degree from the University of Mississippi and an AAA Certificate in Administration. She taught First Grade and later served as Principal at Pine Grove Elementary, retiring in 1986 after 40 years in the South Tippah School District. Former students fondly remember her singing and playing the ukulele at school. She then taught at Blue Mountain College for 15 additional years, supervising student teachers until her final retirement in 2001.

She was active in numerous professional and community organizations over the years, including the American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and Kappa Kappa Iota. She was a 4-H member and later a Club leader, served as the Dry Creek Community Correspondent for the Southern Sentinel, a member of the Dry Creek Tippah County Development Club and the Tippah County Historical Society.

A devoted Christian and longtime member of Concord Baptist Church, she faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and church clerk, among other roles. Her strong faith sustained her throughout her life, including through the tragic loss of her husband in 2001.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - affectionately called "Nanny." She loved all of her family, friends, students, and neighbors and faithfully supported them through life's milestones. She enjoyed all sports, was a devoted Ole Miss fan, and loved to travel, making her final overseas trip at age 90. A woman of gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and generous heart created a legacy that has touched countless lives.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia "Patty" Collins (Stephen) of New Orleans, LA; her brother, T.C. Mauney, Jr. of Dry Creek; her sister Barbara Huddleston of Grenada; her granddaughter Camille Collins Black (Geoffrey) of New Orleans, LA; great-granddaughters Vivienne Vail Black and Marguerite Claire Black, both of New Orleans, LA; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years, Jesse James Hardon; brothers Carl Dane Mauney and Glenn Mauney; brother-in-law Jerry Huddleston; and sisters-in-law Annie Margaret Mauney and Juanita Mauney.

Mrs. Hardon's nephews and great-nephews will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Imogene M. Hardon/Class of 1956 Scholarship awarded each year to a student in the School of Education at Blue Mountain Christian University. Gifts may be mailed to BMCU, P.O. Box 160, Blue Mountain, MS 38610.