Barbara Hardin

1932 - 2025

Surrounded by three generations of her adoring, grateful family, Barbara Russell Hardin passed away peacefully in her home at Carolina Meadows on October 19, 2025. Born Barbara Stone Russell to Rev. Leon and Alta Stone Russell in Durham, NC on February 20, 1932, our Grammy grew up a Methodist preacher's kid in Hatteras, Pikeville, Raleigh, New Bern, Goldsboro, Greenville and Rocky Mount. She fell in love with Paul Hardin III at Lake Junaluska, NC and, after earning their degrees at Duke University, they were married in 1954. They enjoyed a glorious 62 years together, living in Birmingham, AL, Durham, Spartanburg, SC, Dallas, TX and Madison, NJ before returning home to Chapel Hill.

Ever warm and graceful, Barbara made lifelong friends at every stop and was active in her church and community. She was a founding board member of Ronald McDonald House and passionate supporter of the Duke ALS Clinic and in 2012 received the Davie Award for extraordinary service to the University of North Carolina.

Survivors include her sister Martha Russell Gillikin, son Paul Russell Hardin (Melanie), daughters Sandra Hardin Mikush (Don) and Dorothy Hardin Holmes (Billy), grandchildren David Russell Mikush (Cambey), Katherine Mikush Fogleman (Nick), James Paul Mikush, William Perry Holmes Jr, Andrew Hardin Holmes (Whitney), Paul Russell Holmes, Paul Russell Hardin Jr. (Pierce), Noel Hardy Hardin (Somer), Elizabeth Hardin Smith (Battle), and great grandchildren Lila, Percy, Russell, Hardin, Addie, Hayes, Fisher, Sophie, Coleman and Bennett.

A memorial service will be held at University United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025 with a reception to follow at Carolina Meadows. Her family would like to thank the staff and residents of Carolina Meadows for their love and support and friendship.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Hardin Family ALS Research Fund https://www.gifts.duke.edu or to the Lake Junaluska Endowment https://lakejunaluska.com/give/#give.