With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Mona Raye Hardaway, 67, who entered eternal rest on March 28, 2025. She was born on November 26, 1956, in Batesville, Arkansas, to the late Nathaniel Hennings and Lena “Osborne” Hennings and made her home in Newport, Arkansas, where she touched many lives with her kindness, warmth, and love.
Mona was a woman of deep faith and a dedicated Friendship Baptist Church (FBC) member. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures- whether it was talking on the phone, cooking up something delicious, watching her favorite Lifetime movies, staying updated on the news, or listening to music. She loved getting out of the house, taking rides just to enjoy the world around her, and flashing her beautiful, unforgettable, radiant smile that could light up a room. In addition to her passions, Mona dedicated 25 years of her life to working for White Rogers. However, nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with family, especially playing in the yard with her grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished forever. Her warmth, laughter, and love will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she so freely gave.
Mona is preceded in death by her beloved husband of thirteen years, Tommy Lee Hardaway; her parents, Nathaniel and Lena Hennings; her granddaughter, Paris Balentine; her brothers, Paul Hennings, Cecil Hennings, and Teddie Hennings; and her sister, Sandra Brown.
She leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories to be cherished by her beloved only daughter, Cholena Hardaway (Jeremy); her grandchildren, Ayden Williams, Zillah Scales, and Mary Scales; her brother, Nolan Hennings; her sister-in-law, Eunice Hennings; her best friend, Carla Neal; her special cousin, Veatrice Crawford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, Arkansas. Visitation will be at Willis Funeral Chapel on Friday night, April 4, 2025, from 5 PM to 7 PM. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11 A.M. at Friendship Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. L.A. Bland, with interment to immediately follow at Ruddell Hill Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Vidale Swanson, Michael Hennings, Josh Hennings, Jeremy Hennings, Robert Smith, and Freddrick Crawford. Honorary pallbearers are Jeremy Scales, Taddrick Jones, Daniel Smith, Nolan Hennings, Roger Nualls, Sam Houston, Damon Gilbert, Xavier Neely, Walker Meriweather, Brandon Owens, and Zachary O’Neal.
