Jeanetta Hardy

(From J. D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home)

Jeanetta Maxene Hardy, 79, of Rogersville, was born on October 31, 1946 at Burge Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She peacefully passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and dedication to education.

She attended the Logan one room schoolhouse for grades 1-5 and later attended the new Logan R-8 School for grades 5-8 and graduated from Rogersville High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from SMS in 1968. In 1971, she completed her Master's Degree in Elementary Guidance and Counseling, and in 1978 she received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education. She also earned her ESOL Certification from MSSC in Joplin in January 1998.

Education was Jeanetta's life's work and calling. She taught second and third grades in Seymour, Missouri, from 1968 to 1970. She then taught third grade for 28 years in Neosho, Missouri, from 1970 to 2001, dedicating a total of 31 years to shaping young lives in the classroom. Later, she served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for three years from 1998 to 2001. During that time, she received a grant from the English Bearable program to help teach Spanish-speaking parents. She authored Making English Bearable, a resource used by ESL teachers across Missouri and in other states, and even by missionaries in Mexico to teach English.

Jeanetta attended North National Church of Christ, now known as Watermill Church of Christ. She was baptized on June 11, 1961, by Minister Layton Plaster. Her baptism information remains in her Bible on the bookshelf in her living room - a testament to her enduring faith.

In her free time, Jeanetta enjoyed reading and especially loved her Kindle. Over the years, she found joy in painting, cake decorating, sewing, and quilting. She approached her hobbies with the same creativity and care that she gave to her students and her family.

Jeanetta will be remembered for her commitment to education, her strong faith, her generous spirit, and the countless lives she influenced throughout her teaching career.

She is survived by a brother, Warren David Hardy, Jr., two nieces, Angie Dougan and Tracy Cooper; two great-nieces, Kadence Cooper and Bristol Cooper, two great-nephews, Hardy Dougan and Hanley Dougan; and many other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Friday, March 6, 2026, at J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 pm and White Oak Cemetery, east of Rogersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fair Haven Children's Home, 3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford, 65757.