Obituary: Jacquelyn Mercer Hardison

Jacquelyn Mercer Hardison of Kinston, NC went to be with her heavenly father on Friday, January 13, 2023. She was a devoted wife for 55 years, loving mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was big hearted, never met a stranger and enjoyed the laughter and smiles of everyone she came to know. She worked many years in transportation, holding several positions throughout the industry with various companies until she started her own company, Hardison Transportation in 1997. After retiring and closing her company, she started a new business, Jackie’s Homemade Cakes, feeding many people across the state with the most delicious homemade cakes and cupcakes. She was a member of Tanglewood Church of God. Jackie loved the game of golf and enjoyed time with her family and friends. She was always the life of the party and truly valued the company of family and friends. She rarely missed any event that her family was involved with especially her grandkids, and she was always the most vocal fan. She was extremely competitive, whether it be on the golf course or playing basketball (in her younger days) but she always had fun with whatever she was doing. She knew how to smile and laugh, welcoming anyone into her home and life. The world has lost one special woman and we are all too lucky and blessed to have had her in our lives.

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Ricky; mother, Eula; father, Preston; stepfather, Gene; and brother, Bryan.

Jackie is survived by her daughter, Michelle Hardison Priola of Kinston; sons, Sam Hardison and fiancé Jennifer King of Kinston, Scott and wife, Rachel Hardison of Kinston, and four grandchildren, Walker Hardison, Kenly Hardison, Sammi-Grace Hardison and Charlotte Hardison. Also, her special family friend, Linda Sykora.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Tanglewood Church of God in Kinston, NC with Pastors Allen Stocks and Doug Baker officiating. The family will be receiving visitation after the service. A private burial will be held at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC for the immediate family.

A truly special woman was lost but the family is taking comfort knowing that she now walks side by side with her loving husband and heavenly father.