Mr. Lattimore Hardy

Lattimore Hardy, 94, of Alexandria, Virginia, transitioned peacefully into eternal rest on October 20, 2021 in Falls Church, Virginia, after a short illness. Born in Shallotte, North Carolina on December 27, 1926 to Robert Jackson Hardy and Nonie Bell Hardy, his parents and siblings all preceded him in death.
Unpretentious and down-to-earth, Lattimore had wide ranging interests and could have a conversation with anyone about any subject from baseball to politics to world events. Though his formal education ended with the 8th grade, he was a lifelong learner: curious, enlightened, informed – and opinionated.
As a student of the world, Lattimore loved to travel. He left Brunswick County as a young man, and eventually joined the U.S. Merchant Mariner Service (U.S. Merchant Marines), which allowed him to serve his country and experience locales near and far. His travels took him to Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, and he loved to recount his memories of those places. Over the years, he owned The Gift Emporium, a shop that sold items imported from the countries he visited during his travels. Later, he spent time as a truck driver in the lumber and appliance industries. He also sold seafood he had caught while fishing and digging clams in the creeks of Brunswick County.
Lattimore was an avid reader most of his life, often reading the newspaper from front to back, saving the sports page (his favorite!) for last. After he lost his vision in his later years, he continued to listen to the news via radio and television and always stayed on top of current events. One of his proudest moments while living in the Washington, DC area was getting to experience the first inauguration of Barack Obama, and he reflected on the historical significance of the moment for years to come.
Lattimore spent several years living and working in Los Angeles, California, where his daughters were born. He was a lifelong fan of baseball, especially of Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn, then Los Angeles Dodgers. His love for “Dem Bums” – as Brooklyn fans historically nicknamed the team - is shared by his older daughter, Charlene, and he was delighted when she called him while on a visit to Dodgers Stadium and the Jackie Robinson statue in recent years.
He was very proud of his daughter Ruby and her two children – his granddaughters - who have grown into smart, energetic, and dynamic teenagers.
Other interests included good music, especially that of Nat King Cole. His daughters recall that tunes such as “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “The Christmas Song” were among his favorites.
In his later years, Lattimore often spoke about his faith and the importance of his relationship with God. He enjoyed daily Bible study and no conversation was complete without him quoting Scripture and reflecting with awe on the gift of longevity. He often said that his hope was that everyone would discover God’s goodness and mercy, as he had done.
Lattimore leaves to cherish his memory his daughters Charlene Hardy, Esq. of National Harbor, Maryland and Ruby (Hardy) Black of Prince Frederick, Maryland and two granddaughters, Ryan Kelli Black and Samantha Leigh Black. He was also loved and cherished by more than seventy five nieces, nephews, their children, and grandchildren. He had a magical relationship with each one and ensured every phone call, visit, conversation, and encounter was one of inspiration and encouragement. Those who came into Lattimore’s presence left transformed, and that is the gift he leaves to everyone who knew him. Even as we mourn, we remember the good times, are comforted by God’s love, and celebrate a life well lived.

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