Leo Hardy Jr.

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Leo Hardy Jr.
DREWRYVILLE—The Rev. Leo Hardy Jr. died Oct. 17, 2008, at his residence.
The Rev. Hardy was a native of Southampton County and was born to the late Leo Hardy Sr. and Catherine L. Mayfield Hardy.
He was the first black high school basketball player to be recruited to play at Old Dominion University, where he received a degree in marketing.
He was self-employed and president/CEO of Positive Expressions Janitorial & Home Repair Service.
He was instrumental in forming a nonprofit organization in Southampton County to provide housing to low- and moderate-income families.
He helped numerous families buy their first home, and assisted many families to get and keep their homes. He was an advocate for the downtrodden and forgotten members of the community.
He led a vocal effort to provide assistance to the flood victims in Princeville, N.C. His organization built three duplexes to house Hurricane Floyd victims in Southampton County and the City of Franklin.
He was the associate pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Highway 58 in Drewryville, where he also served as youth Sunday School teacher, and lead singer in the church choir.
Survivors include his faithful and loving wife of 36 years, Brindle V. Sykes Hardy of Drewryville; one son, Owen Lamonte Hardy (Carisa) of Portsmouth; one daughter, Brindle H. Darden of Portsmouth; four grandsons, Lajuan Hardy of Franklin, Owen Lamonte Hardy Jr., land Hardy of Portsmouth and Seneca B. Darden II; one granddaughter, Mariah LeBrin Darden of Portsmouth; one brother, Otis L. Hardy of Baltimore, Md.; two sisters, Linda E. Porter (Everett) of Franklin and Shirley L. Walden (Howard) of Newsoms; a very close friend of the family, Corey Ducre; four aunts, three uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Seneca B. Darden.
He was a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
A Life Celebration service will beheld at 2 p.m. today at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Drewryville.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Knox-High Mortuary Inc. is in charge of arrangements.