Please practice safety by wearing your mask 
and social distancing. 
Oar (Sin cere (Appreciation 
We, the family of Carolyn Ann Lake Hardy, wish to 
thank all who have been so very kind to us during this 
difficult time. We have sustained a great loss and your 
expressions of love and kindness are comforting to us. 
At this time, we extend our sincere appreciation. May 
God continue to bless each of you. 
Professional Services Entrusted To 
G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary 
Aiken, South Carolina 
wmm*-*. 
factions of'M* 
Retired Major Carolyn Ann Lake Hardy entered into eternal rest on 
Friday, August 14, 2020 at the age of 72. She was born on January 18, 1948 
in Aiken, South Carolina to the late Simpson and Ruth Holmes Lake. She 
was a member of Valley Fair Baptist Church where she played her first song 
on the piano at age 12. That is when she first started to fall in love with 
music. 
Throughout grade school, she continued her passion for music learning to 
play multiple instruments. Eventually it led her to Levelle McCampbell for 
high school where she was not only the only African American member of 
their band but also the first African American to graduate in 1966. 
After making a part of Graniteville history, she went on to Paine College in 
Augusta, Ga to complete her degree in elementary education. Not forgetting 
her first passion of music, she went to USC, Coulmbia, SC and Augusta 
University to complete her degree in music then took it upon herself to start 
her teaching career in Augusta, GA as a music teacher. 
After three years of teaching, she decided to further her education and went 
into the United States Air Force in 1976 to do so. During her time in the 
military, she played the organ and piano at multiple Chapels as she 
completed her assignments over multiple states. She did a tour in Korea and 
meet some long lasting friends along the way. She met her husband in 
Mountain Home, Idaho and got married in 1979 to the late Howard E. 
Hardy. In 1989, she adopted Jessica; her first daughter and in 1993, she 
adopted Angelica. After faithfully serving 20 years in the Air Force, she 
retired as a Major in 1996. From there she moved back home to Graniteville, 
South Carolina where she and Howard had their home built. 
Carolyn took care of her aunt, mother, father, and sisters. Upon her return, 
she started back playing at Valley Fair Baptist Church and other churches 
when needed. She decided to use her elementary education degree and began 
teaching at the Minnie Palmore House. Also, she taught at Bettis 
Preparatory Leadership Academy. Carolyn was very involved in Church, 
running Friday night children bible study, a member of the AT Steven Choir 
since 1963 and was the minister of music from the time she moved back 
home. She loved to sing and hear others sing, even if you didnt know how, 
she was willing to teach you. She didnt care if you sung off key as long as 
you sung. She taught piano lessons at Augusta Mini Theater for many years. 
Carolyn also joined the Aiken Civic Orchestra in which she was a violinist. 
Carolyn loved so much and so many. She was the sweetest and most caring 
person. She enjoyed eating and being funny. She enjoyed a good parade. She 
loved to talk and did it very well. She never met a stranger. She touched so 
many people. She had a love for cats and had them everywhere; three at 
home, three at both of her sisters houses and was even feeding cats outside 
of stores if she saw them. She loved her family and was known to always be 
with her sister, Sylvia. You didnt see one without the other. She wanted to 
stay up to date so she would have Angelica teach her about technology and 
go shopping for her. Anything she asked for, Angelica made sure to get it. 
She loved try ing to push both of her daughters towards her dreams for them. 
She convinced Jessica to start teaching. She also made sure to introduce her 
daughters to the love of music. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard E. Hardy; sister, Theresa 
Lake; father and mother, Simpson and Ruth Lake. Surviving family 
members include; her two daughters, Jessica Hardy and Angelica Hardy 
of Graniteville, SC; step-daughter, Jonne (Eric Sr.) Hardy-Johnson of 
Hampton, VA; one sister, Sylvia Lake of Graniteville, SC. Also surviving 
are two grandchildren, Oscar Johnson and Eric Johnson Jr. and one great 
grandson. Counted among her survivors are two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Porter 
of Hampton, VA. and Gayle Hardy of Richmond, VA; very dear friends 
from grade school, college, and military, her church family, neighbors and so 
many others. 
0ervice 
2:00 P.M. 
Thursday, August 20, 2020 
Sunset Memorial Gardens 
Langley, South Carolina 
Reverend Troy Nipper, Officiating 
V 
(Order of dfervice 
Processional 
f 
I 
?Selection 
Aiken Civic Orchestra 
Reflections 
Jeffery Anderson 
Violin Solo 
Adam DePriest 
Words of Comfort 
Reverend G. L. Brightharp 
Solo 
Renea Williams 
Eulogy 
Reverend Troy Nipper 
Committal 
Benediction 
i 
Recessional