Elma Almarie Hardy

Elma Almarie (Nichols) Hardy, 101, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024, just ten days shy of her 102nd birthday at Greenwood Meadows Nursing Home, Greenwood, Indiana. She lived to witness a multitude of history making changes through the decades and left her family with many fond memories. Elma was born on January 14, 1922 to the late Reverend Elias Milton and Mary Roberta (Hoye) Nichols in De Kalb, Kemper County, Mississippi. She was known as “Hamma” by her siblings and “Aunt Elma” to her 18 nieces and 8 nephews.

Elma attended Midway Church Grade School in Decatur, Mississippi and then adult night school at Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. She received her Practical Nurse Certification in 1956 from Chicago School of Nursing Correspondence Class in Chicago, Illinois. Professionally, Elma worked as a caregiver from the 1930’s to 2000’s for various families in both Mississippi and Alabama. Additionally, she worked in various nursing home facilities. Elma was baptized at Midway Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Mississippi in September of 1932 by Reverend J.L. Pearson. She also belonged to Savannah Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Meridian, Mississippi and briefly to Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, East Chicago, Indiana. She has been a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church since 1959 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Elma’s hobbies were reading the bible, singing hymns of praise and watching old sermons of the late Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson. She was an avid church member, Sunday school student and choir member. Elma enjoyed baking delicious pound cakes, cooking, shining silverware, plant care, and took pleasure in eating. She loved cornbread & biscuits, as well as laughing! Elma’s favorite hymn was “Blessed Assurance”.

Health emergencies led to Elma’s relocation to Louisville, Kentucky in February 2022 and later to Greenwood, Indiana in July 2023. Everyone knew Elma as strong-willed, feisty, proud, comical and “allergic” to everything! She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.

Elma was preceded in death by her father, Reverend Elias Milton Nichols; mother, Mary Roberta (Hoye) Nichols Chambers Burnside Windom; 9 siblings: Lillie N. Pace, Ora N. Times, Selma N. Vaughn, Mary Cornelius Nichols, Elias Nichols Jr., Dearman Nichols, Reverend John Nichols, Mary N. Mays and Melvin B. Nichols; Brothers-in-law: Elder Robert Pace, Charles H. Times, Eddie Vaughn, Ollie Mays, and Rev. Howard T. Smith. 3 nephews: Charles Times, Roscoe Times and Dr. Edward Vaughn, Sr.; and 7 nieces: Rachel Times, Berta T. Sutton, Diane Gissendanner, Patrice M. Jackson, Greta M. Avak, Shirley Mays and Deborah S. Payne.

She is survived by her loving sister, Ms. Ruby E. N. Smith of East Chicago, Indiana; 11 nieces; 5 nephews; a host of grand nephews, nieces, cousins, church members and friends; and caretakers: Mrs. Carmen (Smith) Tisdale & her husband Eugene of Louisville, Kentucky and Dr. Muriel Yvette Smith of Greenwood, Indiana.

Elma’s friends and family may visit from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2023 at Bluff Creek Christian Church, 6286 West State Road 144, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM with Pastor Dr. Mark L. King (Salt Of The Earth Baptist Church, Indianapolis) officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 734 North Morgantown Road, Greenwood, Indiana 46142.

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