Minister Gussie Mae Hardwick (“Teddy Bear”) was born to the late Will and Phyliss Lee in Lilita, Alabama.

The Lord promises us that He goes to prepare a place for us, and He will return and receive us. She ascended into her heavenly Father’s arms on December 6, 2020, after a long illness.

She was a member of Greater Bethel Baptist Church for over 63 years, serving on the Usher Board, Choir, Mission Board, Sunday School Teacher, and later, after God’s calling, she became a Minister.

She would love to have a Bible Study in her home with the neighborhood children and parents. She would often go visit the sick and shut-in with her sisters in Christ, Mrs. Wilie Beecher, Linda Moore, and Loretta Conley. She would often say, “If you didn’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior, something was wrong with you, so let me share Christ with you”.  Mom’s favorite verse was: Psalm 121.

Minister Gussie enjoyed cooking, gardening, and planting all kinds of flowers in her yard. She was known for her famous “sweet potato pie.” When she cooked, you would taste the love from her through her food. Her children and grandchildren said, “Nobody can cook like her.” She would agree and say, “Sure.”

She worked as STNA for over 40 years at Middlebury Manor Nursing Home. She loved taking care of the residents and showed her love and compassion for them. Minister Hardwick received a Proclamation of Recognition from Mayor Don Plusquellic for her years of service.  She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, and mother-in-law. She had a very close and affectionate relationship with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe Hardwick; son, Curtis Calloway; parents, Will and Phyliss Lee; brothers, Blanch, Jimmy, Robert and Felix Lee; sisters, Callie Cornelius, Rosa White, Gertrude Noble, and Willie Mae (Joe) Robinson.

She is survived by her sons, Billy (Caren) Calloway and Robert Calloway; daughters, Louise (Grady) Appleton and Brenda Jackson; sister, Ella Bell Bryant of Chattanooga, TN; 11 grandchildren, Angela, Dueana, Unika, Shawn, Kelley, Corey, Kelly, Rossi, Christopher, Stephen, and Curtis; 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Mrs. Idella Butts and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.