Clara Hardnett, of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, was born Clara Shorter on November 12, 1926, in Dockery, Mississippi to Lee and Eliza Shorter. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. John Baptist Church in Dockery, Mississippi. Clara attended Sunflower County Public Schools completing an 8th grade education. She was a sharecropper, handpicking cotton which was physically demanding, requiring long hours in the fields of Dockery Farms.

On October 12, 1942, Clara was united in holy matrimony to her childhood love Fred A. Hardnett, Sr. She welcomed their first son Fred Jr. in 1943, amid her husband’s service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon completion of his service in 1946, their only daughter Theresa, and second son Robert were born. During the Great Migration, family support aided in the relocation of several family members to northern states. Fred and Clara relocated their family to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952, to remove themselves from the perils of the South and obtain better employment opportunities. They were members of Second Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and later True Vine Baptist Church which strengthened their faith in God and provided a strong spiritual foundation. Clara was employed at Midwest Dry Cleaners and eventually purchased the business from its owner after negotiating the terms of her ownership. She was very proud of this significant accomplishment. Clara and her husband successfully owned and operated their business, Midwest Dry Cleaners, for 20 years until their retirement in 1990.

Clara was affectionately known as Lil’ Sister, Di/Di Di, and Big Mama. She exuded a tough persona but had great love for her family. When her husband Fred suffered a disabling illness in 2000, Clara cared for him until his death in 2007. They were married 64 years. Throughout her life, she appreciated visits and phone calls from family, and enjoyed preparing dinner on the holidays. As the matriarch, the family gathered at her home annually to eat meals that included her recipes for cornbread sage dressing, greens, mustard potato salad, pound cake, and her signature sweet potato pies. In the end, Clara liked it best when she was surrounded by family and watching the news and game shows. She was elated when her great grandchildren visited and enjoyed viewing pictures and videos of them growing up. She routinely shared dear conversations with her niece Clara Slay and missed those talks these past few weeks. Clara’s legacy is one of strength, determination, resiliency, and an example of creating generational wealth through entrepreneurship. Her life was imperfect, and her will unmatched. She showed remarkable strength as she laid her eldest son Fred to rest this summer. Incredibly, Clara continued to navigate the challenges of her earthly presence until she was set free on the evening of Tuesday, November 28, 2023. She was surrounded by love as she peacefully transitioned, entering eternal rest.

Clara is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Eliza Shorter; husband, Fred A. Hardnett, Sr.; 3 brothers, Joe, Lee, and Charlie; 5 sisters, Famey, Selena, Sylvia, Mary, and Hester; son, Fred A. Hardnett, Jr.; and grandson, David Hardnett. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Theresa Silver; son, Robert (Robin Smith) Hardnett; grandsons, Michael Hardnett, Anthony Dudley, Brian (Lakisha) Silver; granddaughters, Sheila Hardnett-Randle, Nicole (Geoffrey) Betts; 5 great grandchildren, Marissa Betts, Geofferson Betts, Salena Betts, Brianna Silver, Jayden Silver, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.