John Ray Hardin

Canton – John Ray Hardin, 94, passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center.

John was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late Robert and Dolly Stamey Hardin.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Chambers Hardin, who died in 1999; four sisters, Yetta Hardin, Catherine Jolly, Tootsie Ward, and Doris Burnette; and two brothers, Roy, and Bobby Hardin.  John retired from the maintenance department at BASF with several years of employment and was a member of the National Guard for 42 years.

He is survived by one daughter, Debbie Hardin Laney (Johnny) of Candler; a son, Doug Hardin of Canton; five grandchildren, Jason Laney (Melissa), Stacy Corzine (Brett), Joseph, Jonathan and Jacob Hardin (Gabby); six great-grandchildren, Madisyn and Hunter Brown, Cyndel and Sadie Laney, Aubree and Hadley Corzine; and one great-grandchild, Leo Mata, and one on the way.

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Byron Burnette officiating.  Burial followed at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. 

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center for the wonderful care that Mr. Hardin received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675.