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 © R Burnett |
©The Stilwell Democrat Journal
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019Angelique “Angie” Lavern (Mills) Hardbarger, age 64, of Watts, Oklahoma left her mark on this world and gained her wings on November 6, 2019.
Angie’s story began on April 17, 1955 when she was born to Thomas and Lillian Mills in Shidler, Oklahoma. During her childhood, the family lived in Iowa and Kansas, where she was active in 4-H showing pigs, but later settled in Watts in 1967. She planted her roots in Adair County at 12 years old and never left. Angie attended school in Watts, where she was a cheerleader. She graduated in 1974 and went on to attend one year of nursing school at the University of Arkansas.
During her childhood Angie was consistently the peacemaker between her siblings, Tommy and Gisele. She loved riding horses and tending to the sheep, pigs, and other farm animals at their home. She was active in the kitchen and loved cooking and cleaning. She had a green thumb up to her shoulder and had a love for plants and flowers. Many affectionately knew her as ‘The Avon Lady’ because she always had anything you needed on hand (or in her purse) from that little catalog.
Angie had several small jobs after her first year of college before starting a lifelong adventure at Baldor Electric. She had many different jobs during her tenure, which lasted exactly 40 years 4
months and 16 days. She was proud to let anyone know exactly how long she was there and how many days (and hours, minutes and seconds) left until she retired. She was very proud when she retired as number two in seniority in the entire plant of over 500 workers.
Angie had one child, Tom T. Harper, in 1978. She was always involved with Tom T.’s school activities. From home and away basketball and football games, to school concerts, to various other life events, she always made it a point to be there.
Fast forwarding a few years, Angie met the love of her life, Charles, at Charlie’s Chicken. Soon after meeting he anxiously called just to warn her that he was bald under his cap and she happily replied, “That’s okay I’ve got a big butt!” After dating for 8 months they decided to get married and they tied the knot on August 24, 2001 in Watts. They settled down a short distance from the church. Though she loved him dearly and he knew it, she was always sure to let Charles know that she was the boss and he always replied, “I don’t think so.” After getting married to Charles, her family size immediately increased from one child to eight and she loved every minute of it. Throughout the years she was present for births, adoptions, graduations, weddings, and numerous other special events. Angie loved having all of the kids, grandkids and great grandkids around for the holidays and other family events. There are too many to list, but she was always there for her family and never missed a special moment.
Angie loved piddling around the home, from yard work, tending to her plants, and sitting and enjoying her time with Charles. She loved camping, cheering on the family race crew, and traveling. She and Charles took many trips including camping at Lake Tenkiller, spending the weekend in Branson, and touring Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, and Florida. She loved just getting into the RV and driving no matter where they ended up. Her most recent adventure was a missionary trip to Israel with her brother, Tommy, where she was baptized in the River of Jordan and swam in the Dead Sea.
Angie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt, and Granna. She was known for her feisty, yet good sense of humor. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.