Virginia Hardee Obituary

Virginia “Ginger” Ann Howard Hardee, 85, of Hampstead, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025 surrounded by loving family.

Ginger was born on August 22, 1939, in Wilmington, NC, to the late Sud Robert Howard and Eva Murray Howard. After finishing top of her class at Topsail High School, Ginger then graduated from Flora MacDonald College with a degree in Home Economics, which she honed and taught to others throughout her career as an educator. She was a teacher and a leader over many different age groups and many different subjects, from 6th grade to high school in subjects such as Home Ec, Culinary Arts, Independent Living, Special Needs, and Cafeteria Coordinator. Ginger also served as a Foods & Nutrition specialist in Cooperative Extension at NC State University. Over her teaching years she inspired several of her students to pursue the culinary arts and sciences as a career, with several attending Johnson & Wales University before becoming accomplished chefs and food service professionals. She did this quietly, selflessly and without fanfare, sharing her passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge with others. In addition to all things culinary, Ginger also enjoyed gardening, sewing and cross stitching, firepit fires and feeding her turtles by her pond, and spending time with her family. Ginger married her soulmate Charlie Boston Hardee, Jr., in 1961 and they were inseparable for their almost 64-yrs of marriage.

The eldest of six children, she is survived by her brothers and sisters Bob Howard (June), Kay Piver (Glenn), Bonnie Miller (Sammy), David Howard (Anna) and Phyllis Greene (Ron). She is also survived by her four children Charles “Chuck” Hardee (Sandie), Amy Hardee Pope (Chris), Howard “Andy” Hardee (Susan), and Rachel Hardee (Richard Holt), and her grandchildren, Sydney Hardee, Charles “Chaz” Hardee, Elijah “Eli” Pope, and Andrew Hardee in addition to countless nieces, nephews, cousins and others whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charlie, and grandson Seth Albert Hardee.

All are encouraged to wear purple for the funeral service to be held on August 10, 2025 at 2p at Topsail Presbyterian Church in Hampstead, NC.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the caring, supportive and professional staff at Amedisys Hospice for their support and care for both Ginger and Charlie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ginger’s memory to Amedisys Foundation, 1729 Southport-Supply Rd SE, Bolivia, NC, 28422.