Melinda Hardwick

Melinda Hardwick of Midland passed away Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Midland. She was born on Nov. 26, 1946, in Abilene to James Cowan and Juanita Louise “Lou” Davis.

She grew up in Wichita Falls and studied ballet under the Russian dancers Frank and Irina Pal. Ever graceful, Melinda danced in many productions and even a feature film.

She graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1964 and married Clifford James Hardwick of Midland on June 9, 1966.

The couple moved to Austin while Cliff finished law school, where she became a lifelong Longhorns fan. They returned home to Midland, where they raised their three children.

Melinda worked as a certified legal assistant for more than 30 years at Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin and Browder. She retired from the firm in 2014 and was their longest-serving non-lawyer. She was one of the first certified legal assistants in Midland and a charter member of the Legal Assistants Association.  She served as their president and was also awarded Outstanding Legal Assistant of the Year.

Aside from a successful career, she was also a very successful gardener. She was always happy to make plant recommendations and her yard was the envy of the neighborhood.  She was very talented at needlepoint and was a wonderful cook. She could build and refinish furniture, often doing home remodeling projects on her own.  Whenever there was a project to be done, she would find a book on it and learn how to do it herself.

She read the newspaper every day and had the ability to simplify and understand the most complex civic and political scenarios. After retirement, she frequently attended water aerobics at COM Aquatics and enjoyed playing in a bridge club.

Melinda was a woman of incredible poise, beauty, kindness and strength. She was always concerned with others and went out of her way to provide care and comfort for those in need. Corinthians 13:4-6 most exemplifies Melinda: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

She is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather Jack Swafford, and her parents-in-law Jim and Sarah Hardwick.

She is survived by her husband Cliff; her children Shaun Hardwick-Jones, Heather Potts and Mark Hardwick; and her granddaughter Megan Pardy; also her sons-in-law Allen Jones and Brad Potts; step-granddaughters, Lauren Potts and Megan Potts; and grandson-in-law George Pardy.  In addition, she is survived by her brothers- and sisters-in-law whom she thought of as siblings; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Her family will host a reception honoring Melinda’s life from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Café in the Gardens located at Alldredge Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, Melinda’s family would appreciate donations to Midland Habitat for Humanity or Midland Meals on Wheels. These two organizations were very dear to her heart.

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