Mae Hardy Turpin

Mrs. Ila Mae Hardy Turpin passed away peacefully on Friday, the 2^nd of February 2024, at the age of 100, at Twelve Oaks Assisted Living Facility in Mount Airy, North Carolina, surrounded by several of her loving nieces. She was born on the 27^th of October 1923, to James Ethard Hardy and Annie Ausburne Hardy. Mae graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1941. She married Charles Braxton Turpin on March 25, 1950. She was a wonderful, loving, and supportive wife and mother to her husband and her two children, Charles and Anne. Mae was always involved with her children’s activities. As a family, they even played bridge together on the winter “snow” days at home. “Nana” adored her grandchildren, Carr, Braxton, and Catherine, and the frequent visits to Mount Airy and Houston. She devoted her life and work experiences to family, education, and children. Marjorie Holcomb and she ran Happy Days Kindergarten, the only kindergarten in the area at the time. Mae later served as Secretary/ Treasurer of Mount Airy High School for nearly 25 years, where she was affectionately known as “Ma” Turpin by the students. She will be loved and gone, but not forgotten. Her hobbies included exceptional cooking and baking, gardening, needlework, and bridge. She belonged and led several groups devoted to these endeavors. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served in numerous leadership and volunteer capacities. Mae is survived by her daughter, Anne Turpin Cody; her grandsons Claude Carr Cody V (Alexandra) and Braxton Turpin Cody(Alaina); granddaughter, Catherine Anne Cody and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethard and Annie Hardy; her husband of 47 years Charles Braxton Turpin; her son, Charles Braxton Turpin Jr.; her son-in-law, Claude Carr Cody IV; her sisters Frances Hardy Harris, Mildred Hardy Schmitz, Frieda Hardy Hughes Chauncey, Barbara (Bobbie) Hardy Cloukey Lane, and Billie Hardy Bradley; and her brothers Jack Gibson Hardy and Wade Melvin Hardy. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 11, at 3 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy with the Reverend Doctor Fritz Ritsch officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A private interment will be held beforehand at Oakdale Cemetery.  In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Main Street, PO Box 1286, Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030, or the charity of your choice.