Calvin Hardin
April 29, 2018
Date of Service: May 2, 2018
Interment Location: Garden of Freedom
II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Calvin C. Hardin, 92, Elizabethton, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all passed away peacefully at Hillview Rehab, early Sunday morning, April 29. He had been surrounded constantly by those he loved since his illness.
A native of Carter County, he had grown up in the Siam community of Elizabethton where he resided most of his life. He was the son of the late Hamilton Hardin and Sarah Jane Hardin. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Bessie Taylor Hardin, a daughter Edith Hardin Watts, a grandson Clinton Watts, brothers Lil, Henry, Lawrence, and sister Dorothy Hardin.
Calvin started working as a young man at the Elizabethton Chair Factory; he also worked for various people in the community of Siam, Bemberg, and retired from North American Rayon.
As a young man Calvin taught himself how to play guitar, mandolin, banjo, and harmonica. He played with various bands like the Stringtown Ramblers which was invited to be on the Grand Ole Opry, he played with the Clover Branch Boys, and various other groups. Calvin and his bands would play every Saturday on the Barrel of Fun radio show; he played Slagle’s Pasture many times, and many other bluegrass venues. His favorite place to play was at church. Even in his later years he loved to pick and sing.
Calvin was a long time standing member of Beck Mountain Baptist Church and loved everyone there.
Survivors include his son C.B. Hardin and wife Candy of Hampton, daughter Dena Korczyk and husband Steve of Conyers, GA, son Lt. Col. Chris Hardin (retired) and wife Cindy of Knoxville. Grandsons Matthew Hardin, Scott Korczyk, Jack Hardin, and Joshua Hardin. Granddaughter Dr. Stevi Wheeler and husband Ben; great-grandchildren Gavin Hardin, Ian Hardin, Lindsay Hardin and Logan Wheeler. One like a daughter to he and Bessie, Jennifer Fleenor Sizemore and husband Tony; and their children Marah Wood, Evan Sizemore, Elissah, and Lydiah Sizemore. A sister-in-law Annis Deal and brother-in-law Lemmie Taylor. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
A service to honor the life of Calvin Hardin will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Pastors Ronnie Campbell and Willie Lunsford and music provided by Jennifer Sizemore and Beth Stevens Blackwell. The family will receive friends in the chapel on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Interment will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Matthew Hardin, Jack Hardin, Steve Korczyk, Tony Sizemore, Henry Allen, and Mark Albury. Honorary pallbearers George Miller, Lemmie Taylor, Dwayne Taylor, Jim “ Jimbo” Pittman, Jessie Joe Buckles, Phillip Nave, and the members of Beck Mountain Church.
The family would like to especially thank Drs Michelle and James Davenport for their loving care through the years to Calvin; Dr. Ahmed Kahn, Dr. Celso Ebeo, and Dr. Maria Carmina Garcia. The family would also like to thank the 2900 and 2200 wing staff of Johnson City Medical Center for their great care of him in the past week; and the girls at Hillview Rehab.
