Joy Ann Hardy

Joy A. Hardy passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025, in Ridgecrest, California, at the age of 91. She was born on February 26, 1934, to Grover Headlee and Ruby Gittins in Victory Township, Guthrie County, Iowa.

Joy began her education in a one-room schoolhouse and later attended airline flight attendant school. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles Leroy Harvey, and together they had four daughters—Sherie, Zoe, Gaynell, and Melinda.

In 1971, Joy married Kenneth Hardy, and their blended family moved to Illinois, where they farmed and operated a gas station before returning to Ridgecrest in 1974. Joy became a Tupperware dealer and later ran a home daycare business.

She loved family, friends, children, sewing, reading, and especially quilting. Her home was always the heart of family gatherings, and her quilts were cherished keepsakes and popular items at the church bazaar.

Joy was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles and Kenneth; her daughter, Sherie Dunn; and granddaughter, Stacy Russell. She is survived by daughters Zoe (Bill) Long, Gaynell (Bruce) Jenne, and Melinda Servais; stepchildren George (Yvonne) Hardy, Patricia (Terry) Finton, and Chris (Jackie) Hardy; along with 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 6, 2025, 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgecrest, CA. All who knew Joy are invited to attend and honor her life.