Alan Lee Hardin

GROVER-Alan Lee Hardin, 72, went home to his eternal reward in Heaven on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at his home. Alan was born in Gaston County, NC but was raised and lived his life in Cleveland County, NC. Alan was the oldest son of the late A.L. Hardin, Jr. and Ladenia Benfield Hardin, born September 15, 1946.
Alan graduated from No. 3 High School in Earl, NC. He met and married the love, joy and best friend of his life, Margie Blanton Hardin who he shared 53 wonderful years of marriage. During his younger career, he worked for his father at Hardin’s United TV and appliance. Later, Alan began a career in Law Enforcement at Shelby Police Department. He also worked at Kings Mountain Police Department where he served as an officer, the Moss Lake patrol officer and Kings Mountain’s first D.A.R.E. officer. After he retired from many years of law enforcement, he served as a sworn Reserve Officer with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s department and remained a sworn reserve officer at the time of his death. Alan also volunteered with Shelby Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Shelby Pistol team, winning many awards for his excellence in shooting. He was also an avid UNC Tar Heel fan and loved to watch Carolina Basketball. His hobbies included building model cars and working with radios.
In addition to his service to our communities, Alan was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Earl, NC. Alan was a Sunday school teacher, a choir member, a youth leader, a deacon for many terms, on multiple church committees, including pastoral search committees and youth/children’s minister search committees, bus driver for youth and adults, including his “Live Wires” who he loved. Alan was a man of sound faith and loyal to friends and family. He never met a stranger.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Alice Hardin. Left to cherish Alan’s legacy and multiple and many memories are those he was most proud of and gave him the most joy in life: His loving and eternally devoted wife, Margie; four daughters and their families; Julia Denise and Michael Bridges, Chad and Monica Bridges, Jordyn and Connor; Charlene Lee and Brent Guffey, MaryAlice Crepps, Luke Crepps, Cameron and Hannah Guffey, and Raelynn; Dawn and Jonathan Hicks, Thomas, Isaiah and Madelyn; Angela Louise and Ray Chambers, Teidre and Riah Woods; brother Donald (Nancy) Hardin and sister Karen (Mike) Borders; and many nieces, nephews, and honorary grandchildren.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 5-7pm at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home, Shelby, NC and other times at the home. Celebration of Life services will be held Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 2:00PM at New Hope Baptist Church, Earl, NC, with the Rev. Russ Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family would like to extend special appreciation to the many family and friends, doctors, nurses and Gaston Hospice for the support during Alan’s illness. Memorials may be made to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses.