Virginia Ann Hardin

Virginia Ann Shannon Hardin, age 78, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Howard Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

Virginia was born on December 4, 1946, in Nashville, Arkansas, to Charles Hubert and Crystal Floyd Shannon. She graduated from Nashville High School on May 26, 1964, and married her husband, William Hubert Hardin, that same evening. Together, they built a life and raised their family on a farm outside of Nashville.

Virginia devoted many years to being a homemaker before starting a career with the Southwest Arkansas Regional Library, where she served as a Bookmobile Librarian, traveling through rural counties to bring books to local communities. She later worked in customer service for First National Bank and Regions Bank, earning the respect and admiration of her colleagues and customers.

A long-time member of First Baptist Church of Nashville, Virginia sang in the choir, played handbells, and was a faithful member of the Fidelis II Sunday School Class. She was active in the Mine Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as a trustee and treasurer for Ebenezer Campground.

Virginia also cherished reunions with her lifelong friends from the Nashville High School Class of 1964, a group affectionately known as the Steel Magnolias.

Virginia and Hubert’s greatest joy was their family. They spent years following their grandchildren across the state to livestock shows, sporting events, and other activities, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds that will endure for generations.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Hubert Hardin; her parents, Crystal and Hubert Shannon; her aunt and uncle, Denzel and Corene Holcombe; her cousin, Bobby Holcombe, and his wife, Joann; and her son-in-law, John West.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Stacy Gulick (Rory) of El Dorado, Arkansas; Tracy Scott (David) of Buna, Texas; Dee Ann Smith (Lee) of Mena, Arkansas; and her son, Billy Hardin (Dawn) of Nashville, Arkansas. She will be deeply missed by her grandsons, Cade Hardin, Garrett Smith (Becca), John Hardin, and Josh Scott (Tiffany), and her granddaughters, Leigha Newman (Damon) and Savannah Rheude (Eric). Her legacy lives on through her nine great-grandchildren: Poppy and Beau Newman; Dovie and Bear Smith; Casston, Cadee, and Cori Jo Scott; and Maylin and Ella Rheude, with a tenth great-grandchild expected in March. She was also blessed with a host of other relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27, at Latimer Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, at First Baptist Church of Nashville, with interment to follow at New Corinth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s memory may be made to Ebenezer Campground in care of Casey Carter at 2714 Chaffin Lane, Magnolia, AR 71753, or via Venmo at @Casey-Carter-83. Ebenezer Campground held a special meaning for Virginia. Since childhood, she camped and worshiped there every summer, fostering a deep sense of faith and community. She continued this cherished tradition with her children and grandchildren, ensuring its legacy as a place of worship and fellowship on hallowed ground that has existed since the 1850s.