HAMPSTEAD — Wendy Dawn Fletcher-Hardee, age 54 of Hampstead, went to be with her Lord and Savior, while surrounded by family, in the early morning of Monday, November 11, 2024. Wendy was born on January 21, 1970, to the late Linda Davis Hartsell and Sonny Fletcher of Lenoir City, TN.
Wendy is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Phillip Hardee, Mother, Linda Davis Hartsell and her beloved grandparents, Mary Warren Fletcher and Willliam Charles Fletcher. Wendy is survived by her precious children, Andrew Michael Hardee (Bobbie Grosfield) and Ashley Elizabeth Hardee (Robert Whitaker) of Hampstead, NC. Her father, Sonny Fletcher (Brenda) of Lenoir City, TN, sisters, Carrie Fletcher Alexander (Chris) Greta Benjamin (Jason), and brother, Corey Fletcher (Tanya). Her beloved Aunt – Susie Fletcher-Strunk of Lenoir City, TN, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Wendy was a devoted Christian and a member of Providence Baptist Church in Holly Ridge. Wendy’s faith in the Lord gave her strength throughout her life and the strength she has shown all of us over the past three years during her courageous cancer battle.
Though meeting him by busting him in the face with a softball, Michael and Wendy began a courtship and were married years later, in 1993. Wendy graduated from James Sprunt Community College (where she was also a member of the volleyball team), obtaining her nursing degree. She began working at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC until she left to become a caretaker for her grandmother and help her grandfather operate the family trucking company. Years later, she obtained her Construction Management Diploma from NC State University. Wendy was the owner of Atlantic Coast Trucking, Inc., Atlantic Truck Brokers, Inc., and Atlantic Mulch and Stone, Inc., located in Holly Ridge, NC
Wendy was a successful businesswoman who excelled in a male-dominated industry. She received the Trailblazer Award from the National Women’s Business Enterprise, The 2021 Woman of the Year award from the Greater Topsail Chamber, and the 2021 Jacksonville Onslow Linda C. Richardson Minority Business Advocate of the Year. She was inducted into the National Women’s Business Owners of North Carolina Hall of Fame and was a 2024 Pender County Hall of Fame Inductee. Wendy also served her community as a Pender County Commissioner and as a member of the Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development Committee. Though she served her community by holding numerous positions throughout the years, her greatest achievements were her two children, Andrew and Ashley. She enjoyed shopping sprees with Ashley and thoroughly enjoyed participating as a coach while watching her children play sports during their high school years.
Travel was a true enjoyment for Wendy over her lifetime. In their early married years, Wendy enjoyed attending races with her late husband. She was able to enjoy trips with her family to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and most recently, Alaska with her best friend, Glenda Longo, which she described as “the trip of a lifetime.” She enjoyed her last several Christmases visiting Lutsen, Minnesota, with her children.
The family would like to thank the many friends and family members who have visited, brought food and provided support during her sickness.
Always with a kind, compassionate, and giving spirit, Wendy has left a legacy that will be remembered for years by all who knew and loved her.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Barlow Vista Baptist Church.
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