Melissa “Porky” Renee Hardin

Melissa “Porky” Renee Hardin, age 52, of Dahlonega, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Melissa was born in Hall County on March 12, 1970. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Norrell, father-in-law W.A. Hardin, brothers-in-law Junior Hardin and Ricky Hardin, and sister-in-law Patsy Abercrombie. When you met “Porky,” you knew you had met a very special lady. She could brighten any dark room with her wit and hospitality. If you were around “Porky” for very long at all, you got a nickname, and it usually stuck.
Hers was given by her uncle C.F. because of her hair that stood up like a porcupine, and he just made it “Porky” for short.

When “Porky’s” health allowed, she loved to travel. She loved music, and nothing made her smile more than a good Alan Jackson song or playing “Delta Dawn” as loud as she could. “Porky” never met a stranger and made anyone feel at home in her house. Even though the past ten years have been a real struggle for her,  with the love of family and her unbelievable strength Porky overcame so much that would have made a common person break. Her deep love for family gave her the motivation she needed to face another day. “Porky” will be greatly missed.

Missing her most will be her husband, Shane Hardin, Dahlonega; children Andrea and Kyle Cantrell, Dawsonville; Hailey Hardin, Jacob Hardin, both of Dahlonega; mother Hazel Norrell, Dahlonega; sisters Missy Norrell, Dahlonega; Michelle Abercrombie, Dahlonega; Sharon Purdue, Cleveland; grandchildren Carter McMeans, McKenzie McMeans, Lucas McMeans; mother-in-law Patsy Hardin, Dahlonega; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Teddy and Nancy Hardin; sister-in-law Rita Hardin; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home. The Rev. Chris Gilbert will officiate. Interment will follow in Hightower Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Kris Butler officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday and 11:00 AM to the service hour Saturday at the funeral home.

To share a memory or a condolence with the family, visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, 2068 Highway 19 North, Dahlonega, GA 30533