Brenda Mabus Hardister

Brenda was born on May 29, 1942, in Ruleville, MS in Sunflower County. She was a Baptist by faith and a member of Philipp Baptist Church. She grew up in a large family of nine children. All the siblings’ names began with the letter “B”.  What a delight for her mother to do! She grew up in the delta farmlands of Ruleville, MS, Drew, MS, and Philipp, MS.  

Brenda graduated from West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, MS in 1960. She chose to become a teacher and completed her college degree at Delta State College in Cleveland, MS. She began her first year of teaching in Belzoni, MS.  There she met the love of her life, Tommy Hardister. Tommy’s family were from TN and were owners of a car dealership in Belzoni. When the dealership closed, Brenda and Tommy married and returned to Tennessee with the family.  She was a teacher with the Haywood County Board of Education, and she retired in 2008, after teaching for 42 years. 

She was a very talented person who shared her love of canning vegetables at the local cannery.  She was a super baker who shared her delights at local town festivals. She was a self-taught chef who shared her dishes and recipes with friends and neighbors. She and Tommy spent time on weekends at the Farmer’s Market in Jackson, TN. The gorgeous azaleas and flowers that were left behind by Brenda will continue to be enjoyed forever. Brenda will be greatly missed by her Westie dog, Bubba.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Buel Mabus and Myrtis Smith Mabus; two brothers, Billy Mabus and Ben Mabus and three sisters, Bobbie Lewis, Betty Coleman, and Beatrix Mabus. 

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Tommy Hardister of Brownsville, TN; two sisters Barbara Tindall and Beverly Frank, both from Bentonia, MS, and a brother, Barry Mabus from Panama City, FL. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. 

The family has requested memorials be made to the Brownsville/Haywood County Animal Shelter, c/o Sherry Batchelor, P.O. Box 449, Brownsville, TN 38012, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.