Barbara Sue Mowery Hardister

Barbara Sue Mowery Hardister, 93, of Salisbury, NC passed away Monday, March 3, 2025 at her residence. Born to Harold Gray Mowery, Sr. and Rose Leslie Wiley Mowery on April 4, 1931, she was the fourth of five children. Barbara graduated from Boyden High School in 1949 where she was a cheerleader, on student council and participated in women’s basketball. After a stint with Southern Bell Telephone in Salisbury, she completed a career with the Salisbury VA Hospital. She enjoyed world travel, reading, sewing, ceramics, seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and having a houseful of family for Thanksgiving, Christmas and for the annual Easter Egg hunts. She loved her devoted canine friend, “Rascal” who sat on her lap for many years. Barbara was a NASCAR fan and loved Richard Petty, Dale Earnhart and Dale Jr. Barbara was raised and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church and later became a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church. She married Bill Daniel Hardister Sr. on April 12, 1953 who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband of 28 years, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Pauline Mowery, Dorothy Smith, Harold Mowery Jr.; brothers-in-law Gene Smith and “Bird” Campbell; and beloved Chihuahua, Rascal. Surviving are her loving children, Bill Hardister Jr. (Reggie), Brad Hardister (Susie), Brenda Hardister Miller (David) and Blake Hardister (Brooke); sister, Betty Campbell, sister-in-law, Peggy Mowery; grandchildren: Ryan (Kara), Stephen (Katie), Michael (Kristi), David Scott (Amy), Ashley (Trey), Nicole (Alex), Baillie (Cheyenne), Nathan (Ashley), Krystal and Jason; great-grandchildren: Nolan, Liam, Connor, Cooper, Luna, Skyla, Olivia, Avery, Noah, Hailey, Nadezdha, Aaleahya, Dominic; and numerous nieces and nephews . The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM Tuesday (March 11) at Summersett Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 1 PM in Summersett Memorial Chapel with burial following at Rowan Memorial Park. The family requests that those wishing to send memorials consider the Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Hardister family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Sue Mowery Hardister

April 4, 1931 - March 3, 2025