August 18, 1947 ~ August 25, 2020
Born in: New Orleans, LA
Resided in:
Los Angeles, California
Verna Rita Hardiman was born August 18, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Vernon and Althea Smith. Her life was a living example of her favorite bible verse Psalms 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today!”
Family values were instilled in Verna and her 2 siblings Vernon Jr. (1948) and Don (1959) from a young age. When she was 4 years old the family moved from New Orleans to Queens, New York where the family cherished weekends with her uncle Clyde Smith and host of cousins. She also built an early bond with her aunt Ethel and Uncle Ernest, who took them to the Macy’s parade each year during their time in New York. She had a happy childhood and was sad to leave New York to move to California.
In 1957 Vernon Sr. moved his family to California for better job opportunities. During their first year in California the family lived with Althea’s brother, Burnell Roques Sr. and his family. Vernon Sr. and Althea purchased their family home at 6001 Haas Ave in Los Angeles and Verna attended Saint Brigid’s grade school on 52nd and Western Ave. She was later promoted to St Mary’s Academy.
As a high school student Verna dated Vernon G Calvin who lived across the street. The young adults married on November 23, 1963. They welcomed their first born son Michael Anthony Calvin on May 30, 1964 and then Christopher Thomas Calvin, was born September 5, 1966. The couple divorced in February of 1968.
While Verna raised her 2 sons, she worked hard, and she enjoyed her life with her friends and family. As a worker for the city of Los Angeles, she worked her way up the ranks to become a case worker. She later would retire from the Deputy Attorney’s Child Support Office. Verna loved to go out and have a good time. She enjoyed spending time with her friends at all of the popular hotspots and restaurants. Verna took pride in spending quality time with her kids by taking them to amusement parks, festivals, concerts, vacation trips, and the theater.
In the late 1970’s Verna met and fell in love with her life partner Lacy W. Hardiman. The couple were introduced to one another by her brother, Vernon, when Verna was looking for someone to remodel her kitchen. They married on February 23, 1980 and lived a happy life until Lacy passed away in June of 2008.
She cared for her family a great deal. She cherished her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Anyone that ever met her was like instant family. She lived for hosting family gatherings and cooking for those she loved. She was extremely proud of her New Orleans heritage and while in California stayed involved in the Los Angeles to Louisiana (LALA) Organizing Committee, Inc.
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Verna welcomed her cousin Wanda who was displaced by the storm to California. They both moved back to New Orleans in 2013. Always a part of the solution and not the problem, she decided to invest in her community by purchasing a home in the 9th Ward and inevitability went into the Airbnb hosting business in New Orleans. She played hostess for her beloved city to all that visited her there. She could tell you the best places to eat, the best concerts to attend, and the best times to visit. If you were lucky, she would show you her love by feeding you a home cooked meal. She loved to love on others through her food, beautiful smile, and welcoming personality. Verna never met a stranger. Anyone that met her had a friend for life.
Verna enjoyed traveling. One of her favorite places to visit was Hawaii and she went as often as she could. She enjoyed taking cruises and spent time in Palm Springs and Las Vegas. You could always find her at a bingo game, a slot machine, a concert or in front of the TV in her PJs watching a host of movies or reality shows.
On August 25, in her beloved city of New Orleans, Verna transitioned to begin her new mission; A mission that has allows her to reunite with her parents, her husband Lacy, and her beloved aunt Ethel, who all preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory, brothers Vernon David Smith, Jr (Gail) and Don Smith (Susan); sons Michael Anthony Calvin, Sr. and Christopher Thomas Calvin, Sr.; grandchildren Donte Arnold (Jessica), Christopher Calvin, Jr., Michelle Calvin, Kristin Calvin, and Michael Calvin Jr; great-grandchildren: Donovann Arnold, Kason Patterson, Chloe Johnson, and DJ Arnold; daughters-in-love Dana Calvin and Martha Calvin; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and close friends.
Jeanette Neely
My dear cousin and friend. I will miss you so much. God called you home to be with Him. This is not good bye but so long until we see each other again. Memories of your smile, kindness. And concern for others will forever be in my heart. Love you much.
Love Always,
Great Grandson Kason
Age 5
Great Granddaughter
Age 3
My dear sister Rita… It’s so hard for me to find the words to say goodbye and let go of one of the greatest sisters one could ever hope for. You were not only my sister, but one of my very best friends. You have been there for me from the beginning and it is so difficult to imagine life without you. All my life you have always been someone I could confide in and never hesitated to be there for me whenever I needed you. You were a bright light and had a heart of gold, helping many in our family no matter what storm we faced. I thank God for blessing me with you, and I’m so grateful for all you have done and for who you were. I am still trying to make sense and struggle with losing you. However, I pray for faith daily to trust God and not depend on my own understanding, for things are done in HIS timing and according to HIS plans. I’m praying for God to continue to uplift our family and to bring us peace. I pray that we are comforted knowing that you were embraced by God’s loving arms and greeted by many beloved family members when you were called Home. Rita, Angel enjoy all the riches Heaven has to offer. Please know that we will stay reminded of all the love, uplifting and inspiration you’ve shown to our family, and that we will apply it and use it to guide us through our lives. We will think about you always, continue to speak about you, never forget you and hold you close within our hearts until we meet again.
Love Vernon
I miss you Aunt Rita
You will forever be in our hearts!💕
Rest In Paradise 🎈🌤🌈
We love you always,
Your Favorite NY Cousins,
Donald, Janice & Kamaria
God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. With the help of his ANGELS they flew you to your heavenly place. We miss you my neighbor.
Love you guys,
Dolly and Troy
Love you guys,
Troy and Dolly
What a blessing to me when I finally met you. I had known of you and
Vernon through Aunt Ethel. I am uncle E rnest’s niece, you Aunt Ethels. So I had a cousin, and you welcomed me like a sister. . And included me in your family outings. ,We shared some special times with Aunt Ethel.
So loving and generous with everyone.
To the family, She’ll be that bright diamond you see in the sky or those full drops of rain falling on you. We should have all learned something from you to use in our lives. See you again, my sister.
Joycelyn Fortune’
Rita, my thoughts and memories of you
are cherished in my heart forever. You are so special, a gift from heaven. I love hugging and squeezing you until you laughed. We enjoyed laughing and talking, just hanging out with you made everyone feel special. Big Momma was my nickname for you because you were my mother figure when I needed you, my best friend, and my mentor, I love you Big Momma, you will be terribly missed in my life.
You loved me when it was hard for me to love myself. You turned my life around because that’s what you do. That’s your gift from God, loving and caring for others, always giving yourself away. You will forever be that big silly smile that brings joy to my heart. You let me know how wonderful God is here on earth by your love for others. Big Momma. our Lord called you home so, rest in peace until we meet again.
Forever your little cousin Bernie.
such a beautiful soul quiet and valor in her actions she will be missed by this family
We love you always!!!
Donnie, Susan and Lauren Smith
John, Emelda (Mel), Jennifer and Melvin
Love,
Pauline Smiley and Camille McClendon