Billie Jean Veal Hardy, 76, of Conyers, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 after a brief illness. She was born Feb. 5, 1941 at Snapping Shoals, the daughter of Billie and LaFaton Veal. She attended Newton County High School while also beginning what would be a 30-year career at Oxford Manufacturing. In 1958, she married James (Jim) Hardy. During their 58 year marriage they had two children, Steve Hardy and Anita Hardy Nelson. Billie Jean began attending college, around 1980, first at Georgia Perimeter College and then Georgia State University. She graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She then began working at Stanley Proto Tools and later worked at Bridgestone Sports before retiring in 1999. After retirement, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels of Rockdale County, delivering meals to the less fortunate until 2015.
Her favorite pastimes were sewing, reading, traveling, baking, attending sporting events and discussing current events. At various times in her life, she attended Bethany Presbyterian Church, First Wesleyan Church, and Rockdale Alliance Church. She served several positions in each church, as she loved the Lord and always wanted to further His work. Billie Jean will best be remembered for her love of church and family, zest for life and willingness to help others in need.
Proceeding her in death are her parents, Billie Veal and Lafaton Wilkerson Veal, and her two brothers, Samuel Wilkerson Veal, of Olathe, Kansas, and James Michael Veal, of Covington.
Billie is survived by her husband, Jim Hardy, of Conyers; her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Marikay Hardy, of Covington; her daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Dale Nelson, of Hiawassee; grandchildren David and Teresa Hardy, Drew Nelson, Victoria and Andy Hernandez, James Hardy, Chris and Allie Nelson, Laura Nelson, and Holly Nelson; great granddaughter Gabrielle Hardy; three sisters, Janie Garner, of Stone Mountain, Ann and Dwight Collins, of Snellville, and Madalyn Elliot, of McDonough; sister-in-law Bernice Biggers; many nieces, nephews, cousins; long time dear friends Dot Davis, Loretta Sewell and Lucy Clark.
A celebration of Billie's life will be held at Rockdale Alliance Church, Old Salem Road, Conyers, on Saturday, Aug. 19, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., the service at 12 p.m., followed by a reception in the Rockdale Alliance Church Fellowship Hall. Guests may sign the online register at www.wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory 11405 Brown Bridge Road Covington 770-786-7111 is in charge of the arrangements.
