Clara Segnora Hardy

Clara Segnora Hardy was born November 7, 1933, in Chase City, Virginia to the late McKinley Young, Sr., and Carrie Pulliam Young. She was the fourth child born from this union.

Clara received her early education while attending Thine Institute of Chase City, Virginia.

She met and later married the love of her life, James Edward Hardy, on December 13, 1950. From this union six children were born.

During the historic migration to the north, Clara and James moved to New Jersey, where they resided in Asbury Park with their family during the early ‘50s. They dreamed of home ownership and made sacrifices to purchase their first home in Newark, New Jersey on Winans Avenue.

Clara had a goal to work in the medical field. She went back to school and received her GED and Nurse’s Aide Certification from Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey. She was employed by Elizabeth General Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide for 13 years.

Clara loved the Lord and was a devoted member of First Zion Hill Baptist Church in Newark for several years. She sang with the Joyful Pilgrims choir and also served on many auxiliaries.

Both Clara and her husband James bought their second home in Irvington, New Jersey. They lived there until James’s retirement in 1991. Clara and James then moved back to Virginia where they purchased their third home in Brodnax. The two enjoyed life and all that comes with retirement: fishing, visits from their grandchildren, and visiting family and friends. They joined Mt. Herman Baptist Church where they attended regularly.

Clara’s heart was broken at the passing of her husband, James, in 1995. She and her children thought it best if she returned to New Jersey. She then moved to Norman Towers in East Orange. She became a member of Elmwood United Presbyterian Church.

In January of 2020, Clara’s health began to decline. She moved in with her son Stanley and his wife Roberta and was there for the last 3 years. While living with them she became a member of Transcend Worship Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents McKinley and Carrie Young; siblings, Norvell Jeffries, McKinley Young, William Young, Onedia Smith, Charlene Mosley, Wilton Young, Sr., Carlton Young, and Gwendolyn Young; and son, Ronald Hardy.

She leaves to cherish: Stanley (Roberta), Garrett (Marianne) (Debra), Darlene Reid, Janice Hardy, Joy Lee (Clifford), and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

We would like to thank those who diligently visited with her while she was in the hospital or nursing home: