Defford Dale Hardee

Defford Dale Hardee Sr., 78, a resident of Columbia, Tenn., passed away on Monday, July 6, 2020, at Maury Regional Medical Center.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Parkway Baptist Church with Brother Mike Roberts officiating. A visitation was held on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. at the church. A graveside service was held on Sunday, July 12, at 3 p.m. at Tirzah ARP Cemetery in York. Heritage Funeral Home is assisted the family with arrangements.
Affectionately known as “Dadoo” by his family, Defford was born on May 11, 1942. He came from a large family and was the youngest of twelve children to the late William Mayo Hardee and the late Attie Arjane Cox Hardee. He was proud of being an eleventh-generation descendant of The Mayflower. An exceedingly kind, God-fearing man, Defford was a faithful church member.
He was an honorary Kentucky Colonel who enjoyed woodworking and collecting Kentucky Derby glasses and coins. In his younger days, he loved to go to flea markets and antiquing. Defford was a kind, humble, soft spoken and loving gentle giant who will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Debbie Hardee of Columbia, Tenn.; grandchildren, Christian Tyler Hardee of Nashville, Tenn., Allison Brooke Hardee of Nashville, Tenn.; and sisters, Carolyn Edwards of Rock Hill and Doris Piver of Loris.
In addition to his wife, Jayne Annette Carroll Hardee, and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, John Watis Hardee, Avery Hardee, Shelton Hardee, Iris Sarvis, Elga Russ, William Joyce Hardee, Mary Fipps, Leatis Smith and Vela Wood.
Memorial donations may be made to the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation: 4573 S. Broad St., Suite 150 Yardville, NJ 08620.