Evelyn Virginia Veale Hardy

Evelyn Virginia Veale Hardy, known fondly as Evelyn to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, in Covington, Georgia. Born in Atlanta on July 21, 1945, to the late Sylvia and Warren Veale, she filled the world with warmth and love for eighty beautiful years.

Evelyn was a beacon of light in the lives of those who knew her, always wearing her heart on her sleeve with her friendly and thoughtful nature. Her youthful spirit and easygoing nature were contagious, bringing joy to every room she entered. The legacy of her loving heart is carried on by her surviving family members, her brother Travis Veale, her sons Allen and Stacey Lackey and Son Keith Lackey, her daughter Lisa Draper, her cherished sixteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye.

Evelyn's life was marked by her passions, from the echoes of laughter during family gatherings where she showcased her cooking prowess to the quiet moments she spent tending to her plants, her green thumb making every leaf and petal thrive. She found solace and delight in simple pleasures – whether it was the flip of a bingo card, the adventures of the Lone Ranger on her television, or the challenge of a word puzzle – these were the threads in the tapestry of her contented life.

Her presence was a gift to those who experienced her love for her delightful dog or heard her speak tenderly of the times spent with her grandchildren. As a matriarch, Evelyn instilled in her family the values of kindness, compassion, and the importance of cherishing each moment.

Before her peaceful passing, Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dennis Veale and first husband Wilford Lackey, her second husband Smiley Hardy, and her beloved son Jeff Lackey.

As the golden sun sets on the life of Evelyn Virginia Veale Hardy, we remember a remarkable woman. A woman whose love knew no bounds and whose generosity of spirit will be forever missed. Evelyn’s memory will continue to bloom in the hearts of those she touched, a testament to the life she lived and the love she gave.

No services are planned at this time.