Dr. Dennis Myrton Hardison

On April 4, 2016, Dr. D. M. Hardison was ushered into the presence of The Lord whom he served tirelessly for over 66 yrs. Born August 19, 1928 in Jamesville, NC, he was better known in his hometown community by his middle name "Myrton"! His life began with tragedy due to his mother dying during childbirth. In 1945 he graduated from Jamesville High School as the valedictorian of his class and later entered the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA to begin studying law.

In the providence of God, he became a preacher rather than a lawyer and enrolled in the Norfolk School of Bible in Norfolk, VA. In addition, he enrolled in correspondence training from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL and later attended Virginia Bible College in Norfolk, VA. In 1976 he was given an honorary doctorate degree from the Fundamental Baptist Seminary of Knoxville, TN.
Dr Hardison started two independent Baptist churches and has helped in the founding of several others. He has pastored four churches, all in Virginia: Tabernacle Baptist in Suffolk, Arbor Grove Baptist in South Norfolk, Good News Baptist in Norfolk and Tidewater Baptist in Chesapeake. His 66 years of ministry have been divided between pastoring and evangelism. During his years in evangelism he preached in hundreds of churches, largely in the eastern United States and shared the Gospel in several countries including Israel, Greece, Germany, England and The Bahamas. He was honored by his hometown, Jamesville, when he was invited to preach at their Bicentennial Celebration in 1999 and also to preach at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather! He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Elizabeth; three children, Don Hardison of Virginia Beach, Patricia Hobbs (Les) of Columbia, SC and David Hardison (Kelli) of Chesapeake; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to give special thanks to Doris Givens and "Cookie" Marshall for their loving care of our father over the past few months, the people of Tidewater Baptist Church lead by Pastor Chuck Pearson, as well as numerous churches and individuals across the country who have loved and supported both Mom and Dad in their ministry.
A visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 2016 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Tidewater Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA with the funeral service being held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. He will be laid to rest in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. Graham Funeral Home, Chesapeake is caring for all arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tidewater Baptist Church for the ongoing nursing care of his beloved wife: www.tidewaterbaptist.org/hardisonfund.
Please visit his Book of Memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a note of encouragement to the family.