Sis. Katherine Hardy

Katherine Boss was divinely placed upon Earth on August 29, 1950. She was a miracle baby born prematurely at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, Texas. Katherine measured in length from the tip of her mother’s longest finger to her wrist and Katherine often reminded everyone that she, “was so small that Madea said she would carry me around on a pillow!” Katherine was the second eldest of five children from the union of the late Reverend Dempsey Boss Sr. and Geneva (Roberson) Boss. Growing up in Houston’s Sunnyside Garden and South Park neighborhoods, Katherine was affectionately called Kat, Kitty, or even Kitten by her parents, siblings, and very close friends, but was most warmly loved by all as “Kathy.” Heavily monikered, Kathy accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age by the late Reverend Hoxie Perry at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Her family later united with the East Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Sammy Lee Farris. Just like her father and many other relatives, Kathy demonstrated an incredible ability and talent for singing. As a child she sang in the church’s Starlight Band, Young Adult Choir, and would go on to participate in various choirs and quartets, providing solos and background vocals.

Growing up in Houston, Kathy attended public schools including B.H. Grimes Elementary, Crispus Attucks Junior High School, and Evan E. Worthing High School. She enjoyed attending football games, concerts, and various social events alongside her late best friend, Linda Dixon. Kathy graduated from Worthing High School in the spring of 1969. Shortly thereafter in 1970, she made the bold decision to move to Seattle, Washington, where her paternal aunts, Treasure Wilton, Pearlie Pierce, and Deaconess MacAdam Williams, were residing. Never forsaking her relationship with God and church, Kathy swiftly joined the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church where her family had long been members. She sang in the Young Adult Choir and led solos, including a congregation favorite “Climbing Up the Mountain.” Kathy met and married the love of her life, the late Pastor David E. Hardy Sr., while attending Goodwill. David was a family friend, fellow choirmate, and a deacon at Goodwill. After a period of courting the two were married, becoming Mr. and Mrs. Hardy on October 6, 1972. The Hardys lived in happy matrimony for thirty-seven years and were blessed with four children from their union – Geneva, David Jr., Tyrone, and Ada. During the Hardys’ time together, Kathy enjoyed working briefly for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. She later shifted her focus to caring for and raising her family. Kathy loved designing dresses and sewing, creating art and drawing, taking family fishing trips to Moses Lake, traveling to the National Baptist Conventions, and hosting unforgettable holiday dinner parties and special occasions with extravagant feasts. There was no holiday or special occasion that did not deserve a huge home-cooked dinner in Kathy’s book!

In 1980, David would be called from his minister role at Goodwill to serve as pastor at the nearby Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he and Kathy would lead in ministry for thirty years. She naturally gravitated towards the Antioch church choir, was a Sunday School teacher for all age groups, led weekly Bible study, participated in the Baptist Training Union (BTU), and frequently visited the sick and shut-in. She supported special church programs including Back-to-School fashion shows, pastor and church anniversary celebrations, as well as Easter and Christmas pageants. Kathy even wrote an original jazzy Christmas song for the church choir titled “It’s Christmas Time.” She was warmly referred to as “First Lady Hardy” or “Sister Hardy” and dressed the part! Kathy always had an eye for fashion and loved to be in her Sunday’s Best attire donning her signature hats, matching suits, shoes, and her favorite accessories. Kathy enjoyed attending the annual Washington State Baptist Convention where she participated in the Minister’s Wives auxiliary. Kathy loved praising and worshipping God and made sure her family stayed covered in prayer and saturated with Gospel music. The Hardy children fondly remember their mother not only anointing their heads with oil prior to heading off to school, but also neighborhood children who walked to school with them as Amy Grant, Georgia Mass, or The Hawkins blasted on the radio in the background. Kathy could often be overheard praying, singing, and praising God either by herself or on the phone with loved ones. She provided a home for those in need, a refuge for those seeking comfort, and calming words of encouragement for many. She was well respected in the community, was always willing to “adopt” anyone as her own child, as many of the Hardy children’s friends called her “mom” and she accepted them as her kids. Kathy, amongst many memories, will be well-remembered for her powerfully anointed soprano voice, her ability to deliver flawless acapella or accompanied solos, her signature effortless adlibs, for being an impeccable hospitality “hostess with thee mostess,” but most of all a humble, unwavering, woman of God. As she would often say, “Come what may, I know where I’m going, and it is well with soul!”

Kathy, the miracle baby born on August 29, 1950, went to be with the Lord on her 73rd birthday, August 29, 2023. She was a loyal wife, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, an adored sister, auntie, and friend. She was preceded in passing by her husband Pastor David E. Hardy Sr., parents Rev. Dempsey Sr. and Geneva Boss, brother Dempsey Jr. and sister-in-law Shirley Boss, sister Linda Faith Boss, and brother-in-law Frank S. Carey. She leaves to cherish her legacy and memory - children, Geneva, David Jr., Tyrone (Alison), and Ada; sisters, Mary (Frank), Cynthia (Walker); grand-children, Alexus, David III, Oceanae, Oceanna, Andrew, Benjamin, Gabriel, and one grandchild on the way; great-grandchild, Josiah, and a host of Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her very special friend “fur grand-pup,” Griffey the Labradoodle dog.

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