Charles Hardaway

Obituary For Charles Hardaway

We respectfully announce the passing of Deacon Charles Hardaway, age 77, of Grantville, Georgia (Zion Hill Community) on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at his residence.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2950 Primrose Road in Greenville, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery

Reverend Dr. E. L. Jimerson, Pastor, will be the Eulogist and Pastor Yolanda Colton will officiate. Service will be live-streamed (see clickable link below)

The Family will receive friends on Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Funeral Home.

Public viewing will be Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Due to COVID-19 concerns everyone at the viewing and the Funeral Service must wear a mask.

Deacon Charles Hardaway was born on Saturday, May 12, 1945 to the Late Mr. and Mrs. Buford Hardaway in the Zion Hill Community. He was their youngest child, whom his sister Mary Nell called “Baby Charles” or “Charlie Boy.” He departed this life on Saturday, November 12, 2022, peacefully in his home in the Zion Hill Community. For Charles, life between these two Saturdays was filled with love, joy, hard work, and a lot of great gospel singing. He learned early in life that if you only believe, all things are possible.

Charles was educated in Meriwether County schools where he gained many skills and friends. After high school, he went into the workforce. Having a wonderful provider in his father, Buford, Charles saw the benefit of hard work and valued the opportunity to train young men and women to do the same. He enjoyed being a part of various enterprises, including Barge and Wagner Construction and Batson Cook Construction. He was most proud of his work with friends from the Zion Hill Community, the Late Mr. Rufus Jackson and Mr. Edward Rosser. Charles also had the enterprising spirit, having the experience of going into business with his brother, Glen for a short time, and then in a lawn service business of his own until health challenges forced him to retire.

Charles, like the rest of his siblings, was taught by their parents the importance of worship, which he enjoyed greatly. Being brought up in the church led him to find Christ at an early age. Charles joined the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church as a youth and remained an active member until his passing. Having been ordained as a Deacon in 1970, he later became the Assistant Chairman of the Board of Deacons and was named Assistant Chairman Emeritus, in 2016. Charles also sang in the Senior Choir at ZHMBC.

Charles and his family enjoyed a strong bond, so much so that when his brother Joe found himself a bride, Charles declared “I’m getting me a wife too!” He married Jennye Lou (JenLou) Rhodes from Corinth, Georgia in 1964. Charles and JenLou enjoyed married life for over 50 years before they departed by her passing on November 20, 2018. Together, they beat many of the odds stacked against young Black people especially for those times, including employment, and later, health issues. They supported each other through several major illnesses between themselves and together, set an example for their family and community of what marriage could mean when two people learn to love and respect each other, work together, extend forgiveness, and walk together in unity.

Charles was a very gifted singer. Some called his voice unique and smooth; others called it soulful and spiritual. He was always willing to share a song to encourage bereaved families and Sunday afternoon gospel singing audiences. In his early 20’s, he joined the Mighty Evangelists Gospel Singers from Newnan, Georgia, under the leadership and mentorship of Mr. Lemmie Teagle. He learned from the best, Mr. Frontz (Bro.) Young, Sr., Mr. Matthew Bailey, Sr., and Mr. Johnny Rosser, Sr. As much as Charles enjoyed the opportunity to learn from these gentlemen, he understood legacy. When the opportunity presented itself, he mentored Mr. Jimmy Dunham, Mr. Robert Parks, and Mr. Joseph Ector, who are still singing today. They fondly recall trips to local radio stations on Sunday mornings to sing live on the air.

Then in 1976, Charles was fortunate to join a group of gentlemen from the Zion Hill Community to create the Zion Hill Male Chorus under the leadership of the Late Mr. Robert Lee Rosser. Brother Rosser knew there was something special in Zion Hill so they gathered Charles, his brothers Joe and Glenn, and several others from the neighborhood to form a group that would represent the neighborhood at the Old Ship of Zion and other similar programs. The group became very popular. They recorded an album in the 1980’s and traveled far and wide to sing God’s praises. They traveled so much that they purchased a van for their weekly engagements. Charles became Assistant Manager after the passing of Robert Lee and eventually, Manager. After many of the members passed away, Charles continued singing either with Louis and Kenneth Jackson and Harold Reeves or solo. His most recently popular song, “Only Believe” became his mantra in life and has encouraged many including himself and his family.

So it was, that on Saturday, November 12, 2022, around the 2pm hour, Charles was called from labor to reward. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, JenLou, his third daughter, Dedridra, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Buford Hardaway. Charles was also preceded by his sister, Lila Mae Hardaway Brittian, and brothers, Glenn and Joe Henry Hardaway and Willie Lee Colton. The older brothers always looked out for Charles, and we can only imagine that they are looking out for him still!

Charles leaves to cherish so many wonderful memories, his children Tammy Hodo, Putula and Bridget Hardway, Rhasida (Santez) Reid, and Demetrius Blalock; son-in-law, Leonard R. Sewell; grandchildren, Broderick Hardaway, Torie and Terrance Sewell, Kimberly (Roland) Hayes, Anthony Hodo II, Maiya and Taylor Sewell, and Trinity and McKenzie Reid; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins and very dear friends. He will also be greatly missed by his sister, Mrs. Mary Nell Hardaway Black, the sole surviving sibling of their family, sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mary Colton and Mrs. Janie Hardaway; and brother-in-law, Willie Fred Rhodes.

Arrangements entrusted to Thrash and Sons Funeral Home.

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Services

Public Viewing

Nov

18

Thrash & Son's Funeral Home

117 West Main Street
Hogansville , GA 30230

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

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Visitation

Nov

18

Thrash & Son's Funeral Home

117 West Main Street
Hogansville , GA 30230

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Funeral Service

Nov

19

Zion Hill Church

2950 Primrose Road
Greenville, GA 30222

1:00 PM

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