PENDER COUNTY — Wendy Fletcher-Hardee, a Pender County commissioner who served from 2022 through 2024, passed away Monday.
“As a board, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of Commissioner Wendy Fletcher-Hardee,” Chair Brad George said in a Tuesday press release. “Wendy was a dedicated leader and trailblazer who brought compassion, innovation, and strength to every role she held. Her impact on Pender County and her passion for serving the community will continue to inspire us all.”
Fletcher-Hardee resigned in May to focus on her health and well-being. In a resignation letter to commissioners, she expressed gratitude for the dedication and support of community members and colleagues.
“Serving the community has been a rewarding experience, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have made a positive impact on the lives of the members of our community,” she wrote.
Fletcher-Hardee, 54, passed away at her Topsail residence. She attended Topsail High School before attending NC State University and entered the healthcare field as a registered nurse.
“Her natural compassion and drive led her to serve as a caregiver for her grandmother during her battle with cancer,” the county released in a statement, “a role that deeply influenced her commitment to family and community.”
The former commissioner later transitioned to the logistics industry and founded Atlantic Truck Brokers in 2004 and Atlantic Mulch and Stone in 2006. She received multiple state awards recognizing her impact on women’s entrepreneurship in the state, including the 2021 Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award and induction into the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Topsail High School Wall of Fame this year.
The county commended Fletcher-Hughes commitment to public service and the residents of Pender County. It extended sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues.
“Her impact on the county will be remembered and cherished,” it added in the statement.
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