Mary Ethel Hardesty, 77, of Budd's Creek, MD passed away on September 18, 2010 at her residence. Born August 24, 1933 in Leonardtown, MD she was the daughter of the late Joseph Johnson and Cora Burch Morgan.

She was the loving wife of late Levin Wilford Hardesty whom she married on June 9, 1951 in Maryland and he preceded her in death on September 18, 1988.

Mrs. Hardesty is survived by her children; Mary Ellen Melvin and Patricia Ann Tuck both of Mechanicsville, MD, John Wilford Hardesty, Thomas Stephen Hardesty and Agnes Marie Hardesty all of Budd's Creek, MD as well as seven Grandchildren and seven Great-Grandchildren. She is also survived by her companion William Joseph Cargill and her siblings; Woodly Morgan, Gladys Weber, Phyliss Wathen, Gordan Morgan, Ellen Armiger and Stella Bowles.

Mrs. Hardesty was preceded in death by her siblings; Lala McLaughlin, Hilda Ward, Christine Morgan and Joseph Edward Morgan.

She was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County and attended Mother Catherine Spalding. Mrs. Hardesty was a member of the Hughesville American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge. She loved playing Bingo, cards and slot machines.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD with Deacon Bill Nickerson officiating. Interment will follow in the Maryland's Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Pallbearers will be Ross Tuck, Lee Melvin, Jason Melvin, Denny Grube, Nabil Guffey and Shawn Gregory.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hardesty can be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.