Patsy Braddy-Hardin

Patsy Jane Hardin passed away at the age of 84 on June 21, 2025. Born Patsy Jane Stephens, she came into this world on May 13, 1941. She was the fourth of eight children born into the family of Homer and Ruby Stephens in Peggs, Oklahoma. Patsy professed her faith and was a born-again Christian from an early age living a life with a deep commitment of faith, devoted to God and her family.

Her best friend introduced her to her husband’s Air Force buddy, Joe. They began as pen pals. On January 22, 1960, Patsy was united in marriage to Joe B. Braddy, which was the third time they had seen each other. They welcomed three children: Pamela Hedgpeth of Lenexa, Kansas, Christopher Braddy (deceased), and Kurtis Braddy (Cheryl) of Lake Mary, Florida. Joe was ordained in 1962, and the couple entered the ministry in 1962 where they served pastoring in several Free Will Baptist Churches across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa. Patsy was very active in the church as a Sunday School teacher, serving in the choir, actively involved in the Ladies Auxiliaries, as well as supporting FWB Home and Global Missions. She had a passion to work and minister to the elderly. Early on Patsy was a stay-at-home mom but later worked and retired in retails sales for Walmart.

Patsy was blessed with six grandchildren and was a proud grandmother of Karlie Braddy, Rachel Braddy, Lauren Braddy, Alex Hedgpeth (Kiley), Chessy Braddy, and Jarod Braddy, as well as great-grandmother to Christopher and Hudson McMahon, and Brynlee Braddy.

As a widow after 33 years of marriage with Joe in 1993, she settled in the Mountain Grove Area where she attended and became a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church. It was three years later she was introduced by a friend to Rev. Ura C. Hardin. They were united in marriage July 26, 1996, blending two families together in the autumn of their lives. They enjoyed retirement, the Mountain Grove FWB Church, Norwood and Mountain Grove Methodist Churches, traveling, family gatherings, Kiwanis Club, Eastern Star, and each other’s love and companionship for 29 years. Added to fill the remaining space in her heart were children, Sandra Belk (the late Derald Belk), David Hardin ( Laura), and Teresa Milligan (Phil) as well as grandchildren, Lisa Yarber (Jim), Greg Donley (Taryn), Rachel Hardin, Rebecca Hardin, Emily Byrd (Clayton), Sarah Pate (Josh) and great-grandchildren, Ashley Shipley (Dalton), Wesley Yarber, Savannah Patino (Jacob), Dalton Donley, Sophie Donley, Weston Pate, Charlotte Pate, Molly Byrd, Everley Byrd, and great-great-granddaughter, Iva Anne Shipley.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Kenneth, Gary, Ray, and Larry, sister Shirley, husband, Rev. Joe Braddy, son, Christopher, son-in-law, Derald Belk, and lastly and most recent her husband, Rev. Ura Hardin just four months ago.

She will also be missed by many relatives and extended family from her family and her blended family as well as former daughter-in-law, Shannen McNett and special friend, Dixie Gaddis. A special thank you to the staff of Country Living Assisted Living and the Baptist Home of Ozark for their love and care over the past year.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Free Will Baptist Church of Mountain Grove in memory of Patsy.