Marielyn (Newport) Hardin

Devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
The family of Marielyn Newport Hardin share the news of her passing on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Marielyn was a treasured and loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Those she leaves in life will miss her dearly and treasure her memories always.

Born in the peaceful Tennessee town of Oneida, Marielyn was the eldest of three. She was the eldest big sissy to her dear youngest sister Felecia and her brother Ewen.

Marielyn graduated from Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY and then continued her education at Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN. It was there she met the love of her life Tyra “Ty'' Courtney Hardin. Marielyn and Ty married on February 4, 1961, moved to Paducah, KY and had their eldest daughter, Tira. Moving back to Tennessee and settling in Chattanooga, they continued growing their family with their two sons Hamilton “Scott” Hardin and Paul “Courtney” Hardin”. Marielyn and Ty were married for 57 wonderful years.

As the self-appointed neighborhood mom on Black Oak Circle, Marielyn was a constant presence in many of the children's lives. She could often be seen in her little red jeep, piling her own kids in the back to take them to school. And when it rained, she went searching for her neighborhood kids in the rain to make sure they had a ride to school.

A devoted Christian, one of her favorite activities was traveling to gospel concerts with her Stuart Heights Baptist Sunday School group. Her lifelong friends were made in her Sunday School class, and she treasured the memories and fellowship in Christ she made with those best friends.

When her youngest went to kindergarten, she had a strong maternal pull to stay around children. So she went to school too, starting her career in kindergarten at Rivermont Elementary school. For years, her classroom was a space for education, fun, and joy for the little ones she taught.

Never one to remain idle, Marielyn continued her career after teaching to pursue her passion in decorating. With a fierce and proud attention to detail, Marielyn was a favored interior decorator in the Chattanooga area and an extremely skilled seamstress. Houses across the Tennessee valley bore her touch, leaving behind a unique and personal feeling of home.

As a grandmother to Ashton, Eli, Chandler, and Chase, she became “Meemaw.”  Meemaw’s house was a place to be warm, welcoming, and continues to hold thousands of fond memories. There was nothing she loved more than seeing her family on holidays spread out, room to room, enjoying fellowship and each other’s company. She could always be found offering a meal for her loved ones, while watching her beloved bouquet of hummingbirds flutter outside her kitchen window.

Marielyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tyra “Ty” Courtney Hardin, her mother Nora Smith Newport, her father Ewen Newport, her brother-in-law Steven Reynolds, her cousins Earl and Jody Bible.

Marielyn is survived by her children, Tira Chastain (Chad), Scott Hardin (Susan), and Courtney Hardin (Barri); her grandchildren Ashton Kyker (Aaron), Eli Hardin, Chandler Clifford (Mark), and Chase Chastain; her sister Felecia Reynolds and her brother Ewen; her nieces and nephews Stephenie Crowley (Brandon), Joshua Reynolds (Stephanie), and Nicole (Buddy) Kitchings; grand nieces and nephews Lucas and Layla Reynolds, Kellen and Lennox Crowley, and Katelyn Kitchings; her cousins Donna Johnson (Steve) and Sybil Bible.

Visitation will be from 12:00 - 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10 at the Lane Coulter Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415. The funeral service will be at 1:00 PM.  Interment will follow at 2:00 PM in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to your favorite charity or HaCoBACare Ministries of Chattanooga.

Pallbearers:
Scott Hardin, Courtney Hardin, Eli Hardin, Chad Chastain, Chase Chastain, Mark Clifford