Robert Taylor Hardeman of Greenwood died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, peacefully at his home. Mr. Hardeman, a retired farmer who remained active in community affairs, was 95 years old.
The son of Cecil Tolbert Hardeman and Katharine Elizabeth Taylor, he was a native of McAlester, Oklahoma. He attended New Mexico Military Institute for two years and graduated as valedictorian in 1945 and also from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on June 3, 1949. While there he renewed his friendship with Eleanor Steele Thomas, whom he married on June 11, 1949.
He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and went through flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was aircraft carrier qualified as a jet-fighter pilot and served in Korea. He loved flying and was proud of his service in the Marine Corps.
He was actively engaged in farming for 40 years, first with his brother-in-law, the late J.T. Thomas III, and his father-in-law, the late J.T. Thomas Jr., farming next on his own and finally in partnership with his manager, his close and good friend of many years, Buck Harris.
Mr. Hardeman was a communicant of the Church of Nativity, was on the vestry many years and served one term as junior warden and two terms as senior warden. He loved his church and served for many years as stewardship chairman.
He served as secretary of the Mississippi District Committee of Kairos, a prison ministry, and as warden of the Delta Episcopal Prison Ministries Board. He served on many Kairos prison teams in an effort to bring Christ to the prisoners in Parchman.
He was one of the founders of Pillow Academy and served as president of its board of directors from 1968 to 1975. He was a founding member of the Pillow Academy Endowment Foundation for Educational Excellence and served as its co-chairman for many years. He felt that Pillow Academy was a real, greatly needed asset in this community and he enjoyed helping to raise the funds necessary to insure its survival.
He loved his adopted community and was involved in many activities in this area. He served as president of the board of directors of Pelucia Drainage District, president of the Mississippi Private School Association and chairman of the Leflore County Republican Party. He served on the board of directors of Holmes Gin, Inc., and on the Deposit Guaranty Bank Advisory Board of Directors in Greenwood. He was a member of Mississippi Farm Bureau, Mississippi Soybean Association, Greenwood Country Club, and a founding member of the Delta Wildlife Foundation. He was instrumental in helping build the indoor heated exercise pool at Twin Rivers Recreational Center in honor of his beloved wife, Steele.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Eleanor Steele Hardeman, whom he dearly loved; two children, Eleanor Hardeman Acosta of Greenwood and Robert Taylor Hardeman Jr. of Grenada; three grandchildren, Eleanor Acosta Aldridge (Brad), Joseph Robert Acosta Jr. (Mary Kathryn) and Katharine Elizabeth Taylor Acosta; and three great- grandchildren, Lawson Smith, Mariella Steele Acosta, and Everleigh Sawyer Acosta.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private family service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that contributions be made to the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Pillow Academy or the donors’ favorite charity.
Wilson & Knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.wilsonandknight.com.