Mr. John Arthur Hardaway

Mr. John A. Hardaway was born October 4, 1946, in Monroe, Michigan to the late Bennie Hardaway and Ceola Cammack Hardaway. Both of his parents and his grandparents Johnny Hardaway and Roxie Calvin Hardaway preceded him in death.

John attended Monroe Public Schools and graduated from Monroe High School. After completing high school, He furthered his education at Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

John was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age at Carey Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Monroe, Michigan.

On October 4th, 1969, John was joined in holy matrimony with Barbara J. Hardaway at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor Michigan.  After moving to Inkster Michigan from Monroe, Michigan in 1971, John became a member of Smith Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and shortly after they added a daughter, Kenyatta, to their union.  John’s love for his wife Barbara was unconditional.  Married for 52 years, he was not only her husband but her best friend and her caregiver.

John was an active member at Smith Chapel for over 50 years where he served faithfully in many capacities, such as a Trustee who was appointed by Rev. Reed, he sang in the Club M.O.V.E ( formally the Men’s Male Chorus) Choir,  Christian Education Department, a Kingsman with the  WMS (Women’s Missionary Society), he attended the Tuesday morning Power calls  and Wednesday night bible study.  He LOVED to cook and would often assist at church for the Men’s cookoff and any other functions the church would have and where they needed cooks.  John loved his church and loved to serve in any capacity. He would attend as time permitted in person and until the pandemic, and thereafter, he would attend via Zoom or as he stated he would “Zoom AME”. 

John worked for Ford Motor Company for 43 years in Quality Assurance Dept. He eventually retired in June of 2008. After retirement, John volunteered with the Inkster Police Department at the satellite office for well over 4 years and was a caretaker for his father-in-law John H. Hill who also preceded him in death. In addition to spending time with family and friends, He also enjoyed watching baseball, basketball, western movies, listening to music, his yard and cooking.  His favorite teams were the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers, and his favorite cake was German Chocolate and Rev’s (as he would call her, Rev. Barbara) 7-up Cake.

On Friday, March 29, 2024, Mr. John A. Hardaway departed this life at his home.  His loving wife, Rev. Barbara J. Hardaway preceded him in death on June 4, 2022.  He leaves to cherish his memory; one daughter, Kenyatta McKinney of Houston, TX; one sister Bennie Marie Davis of Inkster, MI, three grandchildren, Matthew McKinney-Levell, and Joshua Ekpo, both of Houston, TX, and Davion McKinney of Detroit, MI; two nieces, Carla (Bernard) Womack of Rockwood, MI;  Jessie Shrea Davis of Houston, TX; one nephew, Carl R. Murden Jr., of Inkster, MI and a host of nephews, great nephews, nieces, great nieces, cousins, colleagues, and friends.

John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, uncle, brother, colleague, and friend. His warmth, wisdom, and the joy he brought to every gathering will be deeply missed by all who loved him and had the pleasure of knowing him.

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