C. Hardin

Charles Wheeler "C. W." Hardin, Jr., age 78, died Tuesday May 24, 2005 at Memorial Mission Hospital Campus. He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and the son of the late Charles W. Hardin, Sr. and Mabel Myers Hardin. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Craig and a brother, Dan Hardin. He was a United States Navy World War II veteran serving on the USS Houston. He retired from Champion International as the editor of "Chips" newsletter and was the company photographer. Mr. Hardin served as former District Assistant for U. S. Representative Bill Hendon. He was a former member of the Town of Canton Board of Aldermen and was elected and served as Mayor for several terms. Mr. Hardin was elected and served in the N.C. Senate District #29 for one term. He was a former Department of Transportation Board Member and former Director of Governor Jim Martin's western office. He also was a former member of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Community College and a member of the Board of Haywood Christian Ministry. Currently, Mr. Hardin served as a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Canton, Salvation Army board member, Good Samaritan's Medical Clinic board member and he delivered Meals on Wheels. He was also a member of Snug Harbor, member of the Gideons and a board member of the Fund for Haywood County of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. In addition to his wife of 53 years, Mary Frances Howell Hardin, he is survived by a daughter, Becky Campbell and her husband, Randy of Newton; a son, Charles Hardin and his wife, Knox; two sisters, Bettie Smathers and her husband, Frederick and Josephine Smathers all of Canton and two granddaughters, Kara and Brittainy Hardin. Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005 at Canton Central United Methodist Church with the Reverend Carrol Lindsey and Reverend Dr. Rick Gosnell officiating. Burial will follow at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery, Old Clyde Road. The family will receive friends prior to the services from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the fellowship hall of the church. The body will be placed in the sanctuary of the church at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Jerry Smathers, Bob Holcomb, Bill H. Phillips, M.I. "Bill" Phillips, Fred Davis, Jimie Baity, Martin Smathers and Ray Whitted. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Snug Harbor, Baracca-Bishop Sunday School Class and "the breakfast cowboys". Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Canton is in charge of arrangements. Flowers are acceptable and appreciated or memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 486 E. Marshall Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, Canton First Baptist Church, 74 Academy Street, Canton, NC 28716; Canton Central United Methodist Church, 34 Church Street, Canton, NC 28716 or to a charity of one's choice.

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