Katie Mae Hardman

Katie Mae Hardman, 97, of Fordyce went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at her home.
Katie was born on January 8, 1927 in the Ivan Community. She was the daughter of the late Tonie (Nutt) Green and William Butler Green. Katie was the baby of the family and was doted on by all her siblings who preceded in death: Flora Ward, Harry Green, Oma Rainey, Houston Green, Maurice Green, and Sidney Green.

Katie married the late John Hardman on October 12 , 1945. They were married when Johnny came
home for the weekend on medical leave after being injured in WWII. Three daughters resulted from this union: Bonnie (Johnny Ray) Daniel of Fordyce, Wanda (Audie) Dawson of Winthrop and the late Connie (Don) Walthall. “The Girls”, as they were affectionately known in the family, were devoted traveling companions, friends and caregivers for their mother.

Katie Mae looked forward to holidays with her family, most especially her grands. The lives of her
grandchildren are filled with memories of Mamaw Katie making her famous Dumplings, baking teacakes, and preparing holiday meals. Katie had 8 grandkids: Carrie Walthall of Hot Springs, Rusty (Kerri) Ross of Harmony Grove, Scottie (Ronda) Walthall of Little Rock, Aaron (Kim) Dawson of Corinth, TX, Amy (Johnny) Ledbetter of Arkadelphia, Micah (Randi) Dawson of Ashdown, Cassie (Ashton) Winkelmeyer of Little Rock, and the late Brian Walthall. Katie had 14 great-grand kids who she loved to watch play sports, fish, hunt and ride horses: Hunter Bost and Roza Koonce, Katie and Dawson Walthall, John David and Maggie Ross, Noah Dawson and Alex Leyva, Myka Lynn and Luke Dawson, David and Audrey Ledbetter, and Sam and Indie Winkelmeyer.

Katie Mae was a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church and was a pillar of the Cooterneck community. She lived on Barnes Hill for almost 70 years, where she spent much of her time taking care of her family and neighbors. Katie worked at the garment factory and Western Auto at a time when most woman stayed home. She spent many hours with Johnny, the Barnes family, and her own family at Poker Flats on the Saline River catching and frying fish. Katie traveled the United States with her friends from the community and was always ready for a game of Yahtzee. Katie Mae was fiercely independent, loved her family immensely, and lived a full life on her own terms.

A visitation will be held Wednesday from 1PM until 2PM at Zion Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2 PM at the church with Rev. Scott Smith, Rev. Rusty Ross, and Rev. Audie Dawson officiating. Burial will be at Stoney Point Cemetery. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .