Mary Jeanette Hendrickson

Mary Jeanette (Hardy) Hendrickson was a woman to be admired. No one knew that better than her children. She loved her family; she cherished her friends; she was devoted to her church; but, most of all, she loved her God. She is with Him now, still worshipping, still adoring, and still singing praises in His very presence ever since the afternoon of January 31, 2022.
Jeanette, as her family and friends call her, was born on April 6, 1928, in Malden, MO. She was the oldest child and only daughter of Goldie Vincent (Holt) and Grover Quincy Hardy. The couple also had two sons, Grover Quincy Hardy, Jr. and Johnnie Ray Hardy. Junior passed away on July 19, 2004. Johnnie currently resides in Fremont, CA.
Grover and Goldie Hardy moved their family to Paragould, AR in 1933 where their children all lived until each of them married and moved away.

Following the separation and subsequent divorce of her parents in 1937, Jeanette became the surrogate mother to her younger brothers at 9 years old. Her priority was taking care of her brothers, feeding them, making sure they had clean clothes to wear to school, and getting them to church every week. Household chores, including cooking, washing and drying the dishes, preparing lunches, laundry, ironing, and helping her brothers with their homework became her norm. She was the epitome of “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Jeanette’s father, Grover Hardy, passed away May 29, 1966. Her mother, Goldie Holt, passed away March 17, 1994.
In addition to her two brothers (Junior and Johnnie), Jeanette had an older half-brother, David Lewis Parker, son of Lewis Parker and Goldie (Holt) Vincent. David passed away on January 29, 1987. Jeanette also had another half-brother, Harold Dewayne Holt, who passed away on January 1, 2003; and a half-sister, Ann Carolyn (Holt) Potter who passed away on November 1, 2002. Ann and Harold were the children of Goldie Vincent Holt and Benjamin Harold Holt. Growing up, we never heard Mom refer to any of her siblings using the term “half.” The six of them were all just brothers and sisters.
Jeanette met and married the love of her life, Charles Franklin Hendrickson, in Paragould, Arkansas. She was 16; he was 21 when they married and, like so many other young couples in 1944, they were separated by Charles’ commitment to serve in the Army during WWII.

When he returned from active duty, the couple settled down and started a family. They spent most of their married life raising their children in Central Illinois before moving back to Arkansas when Charles retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company. Charles and Jeanette were married for 55 years before he passed on March 7, 1999. She was never interested in “courting” anyone else.

Jeanette and Charles were the parents of nine children. Phyllis Kay (September 3, 1946-March 13, 2009); Janythe Charlene (April 16, 1948); Brenda Gail (January 25, 1950); Ronald Eugene (August 4, 1952); Randal Wayne (April 14, 1957); Charles “Chuckie” Franklin, Jr. (February 10, 1963 – February 12, 1963); Deidra Ann (December 8, 1964 – June 22, 2020); Kelly Jo December 12, 1966); and Kevin Lyle (September 13, 1968).

Jeanette was a full-time wife and mother who taught her children that God was real; that the Bible was really God’s Word; and that they needed to read it and know what it said. She taught them that Jesus was their only hope of salvation; and that sacrifice and service were important elements in developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jeanette and Charles both dedicated their lives to Christ in the Spring of 1953. Together they helped organize four churches in Illinois (E. Peoria, Washington, N. Pekin, and S. Pekin). They also started a missionary outreach in their home from 1968-1977 in Little Rock, AR.
Jeanette had to say good-bye to her husband and three children. She said, “See you later.” to Charles in March 1999. She held Chuckie for two days before God called him home in February 1963. After losing her battle with cancer, Phyllis went home in March 2009. Deidra transitioned in June 2020.

Jan currently lives in Bradenton, FL. Brenda lives in Paragould, AR with her husband, Hal W. Brock, Sr. Ronnie and Kevin also live in Paragould, AR. Randy makes his home in Sarasota, FL with his soul-mate Bonnie Bryson. Deidra’s husband of almost 39 years and Jeanette’s “other son”, Dave McClanahan, now lives in Winston-Salem, NC. Kelly lives with her husband, David Lee Brantley, in Zebulon, NC.

Jeanette said she has missed Charles every day since he passed in 1999. Her heart ached to hold Chuckie again. She wanted to see Phyllis to make sure all the pain was really gone. And her heart crumbled when Deidra lost her battle to cancer. She has now hugged each one of them once again.

Jeanette looked forward to seeing her parents Goldie (Hardy) Holt and Grover Q. Hardy; as well as Benjamin “Ben” Harold Holt. She constantly referred to Ben as “the best step-dad anyone could ask for.” She was also anxious to see her siblings, David Parker, Junior Hardy, Ann (Holt) Potter, and Harold Holt again someday. That day is now here.
In addition to her six surviving children (Jan, Brenda, Ronnie, Randy, Kelly and Kevin), Jeanette has been blessed with a slew of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Although she had to say, “I’ll look for you when I hear you’re coming!” to her best friend, Barbara McKelvey of Paragould, Jeanette is now at peace.

Mary Jeanette Hendrickson was 93 (almost 94) years old when she went Home on Monday, January 31, 2022.
A Memorial Service is being coordinated by Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, AR. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, also in Paragould, AR.

FUNERAL SERVICES AT HEATH FUNERAL HOME
(321 Garland, Paragould, AR)

Saturday, February 5, 2022
- Family Viewing at 11:30 a.m.
- Visitation at Noon-2:00 p.m.
- Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m.
- Burial following at Linwood Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, you may want to donate to the First Freewill Baptist Church in Paragould, AR; or you can send a donation to the Gideons “In memory of Mary Jeanette Hendrickson” and stipulate how many Bibles you would like to send in her memory.