Obituary of
Tardy, Bessie Frances
Bess Tardy was born in Dallas on September 25, 1920. She was born to Czechoslovakian parents who had immigrated to the United States. She was probably born at home in South Dallas where she and her parents lived with her father's sister and uncle, Aunt Mary and Uncle Emil. Also living there were her fathers parents.
She is proceeded in death by her parents Frank Charles Kopecky and Anna Kopecky and her
husband James Noel Tardy.
She is survived by a large family for whom she cared and was an important part of each of
their lives:
Her sisters: Lillian Caroline Curry, and Mary Ann Steely and husband Jerry.
Her daughters: Noel Ann Tardy and Sharon T. McDade and husband William.
Her grandchildren: Patricia Lynn Pogue and husband Rev. Dean Pogue, Michelle Francine
Bailey, Kristen McDade and husband Greg Wilson.
Her great grandchildren: Marcus Stephen Mueller, Kristina Michelle Vasquez, Shelby Austin
Vasquez, William Ross Jefferies, Bruce Hunter Jefferies, Josie Marie Chamness.
Her great great grandchildren: Breyden Fuller Jefferies and Knox Castle Jefferies, Eli James
Garcia.
Nieces and nephews: Edie Ramey and husband Fred, Jackie Berry and husband Chris, Phillip
Curry and wife Jennifer, Chuck Woodard and wife Marilyn, Paula J. Woodard, Billy Woodard
(deceased), Kyle Woodard (deceased).
Great nieces and nephews: Parker Ramey, Anna Borden and husband Colin, Phillip Curry Jr.,
Patricia Curry, Jack Curry, Justin Woodard, Meredith Dowdy, Ashley Tanner, Kaid Woodard.
She was also a devoted granny to her precious poodle, Princess.
As a child, Bess spoke only Czech and learned English when she went to school. Throughout
her long and joyful life, family (both "natural" and "extended") was deeply and profoundly
important to her. From an early age she learned that the most important things in life...aren't
things; but rather, people.
Bess graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in the class of 1938. She loved high school
and was a drum majorette where she was involved in many activities there. Many of these
friendships continued throughout her life.
While raising her daughters, she did accounting and bookkeeping for her father at Ross Ave.
Ignition Service. Later, she co-owned a boutique Rags for Dolls with her sister Mary Steely, and
she owned a catering company, Crouton's Etc. with her daughter Noel Tardy.
Bess's love of cooking and growing vegetables produced many wonderful meals for family
gatherings. She treasured her collection of her mother's recipes and hand copied and passed
them to next generations.
Bess loved antiques and collected beautiful cut glass and antique china. Daughters and family
benefited from her knowledge and shopping sprees for antiques.
For many years Bess enjoyed her participation in the Variety Club, an international charity,
providing medical help for children.
Bess was blessed by incredible people in her life especially in her later years. Special friends
supported and assisted with her needs: John Culver and Rubye Andrews, and Ivy Carney and
Max Mull. The family can never express how thankful we are for all they did and still do.
The family is also grateful to the medical staff at Medical City Dallas Hospital for their care and
attention to Bess Tardy. On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, with family and friends, she quietly
went to sleep and took her last breath.
Please send family condolences and sign the guestbook on this website.
Tribute Wall of Tardy, Bessie Frances
Mrs. Tardy was great lady. While I was at Hillcrest High School she was like a second mom to me and I loved her for that.
Ann Holland Son
Ann Holland Son
Thursday October 13, 2022
Mrs. Tardy was great lady. While I was at Hillcrest High School she was like a second mom to me and I loved her for that.
Ann Holland Son
Dear Noel,
I am just finding out this news. Please forgive me for not checking in with you. I have been very very busy. I am so sorry for your loss. I am delighted I got to meet your mother and be with her several times. I had no idea shw was 94, what a blessed long life. May your beautiful memories comfort you and I am sending you much love and light.
Alexis Yancey
Thursday October 13, 2022
Dear Noel,
I am just finding out this news. Please forgive me for not checking in with you. I have been very very busy. I am so sorry for your loss. I am delighted I got to meet your mother and be with her several times. I had no idea shw was 94, what a blessed long life. May your beautiful memories comfort you and I am sending you much love and light.
New Years Eve is really Bess Tardy Holiday Eve. She celebrated every day of her life with love and laughs, but Bess Tardy Holiday Eve is the Holiday my sons and i remember AND talk about on that day every year!! We didn’t miss this year with laughs and tears. Michael is 44 and Rick is 45 and I am 65, but we can’t forget those 70’s, 80’s and 90’s at Bess’s house. Never has so much laughter, food filled with love and true caring
for each other happened in my life since those nights. Our other 364 days a year with you were precious also.
Dear Bess my Mama loved you so very much. I know you two are making everyone laugh right now. We still do presents from Roy to Roy! Thank you Bess.
Lorayne
Thursday October 13, 2022
New Years Eve is really Bess Tardy Holiday Eve. She celebrated every day of her life with love and laughs, but Bess Tardy Holiday Eve is the Holiday my sons and i remember AND talk about on that day every year!! We didn't miss this year with laughs and tears. Michael is 44 and Rick is 45 and I am 65, but we can't forget those 70's, 80's and 90's at Bess's house. Never has so much laughter, food filled with love and true caring
for each other happened in my life since those nights. Our other 364 days a year with you were precious also.
Dear Bess my Mama loved you so very much. I know you two are making everyone laugh right now. We still do presents from Roy to Roy! Thank you Bess.
Bess and I shared a cup of coffee each week during her hair appt on Thursday and picked out something good to cook ,I am going to miss her
David Brown
Thursday October 13, 2022
Bess and I shared a cup of coffee each week during her hair appt on Thursday and picked out something good to cook ,I am going to miss her
Thank you Bess for all the encouragement and LOVE, tongue & cheek laughs, and CAKE, oh the cake.
Gina Volpe
Thursday October 13, 2022
Thank you Bess for all the encouragement and LOVE, tongue & cheek laughs, and CAKE, oh the cake.
With deepest sympathy Artie Nell Ross & Family. (214) 374-6436.
Arite Nell Ross
Thursday October 13, 2022
With deepest sympathy Artie Nell Ross & Family. (214) 374-6436.
Bess, you were a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration to anyone who was paying attention. You embodied the essence of girl power, never backing down, with your eyes directed forward, never back. I will miss your presence in our salon, always quick with a quip, a clever story or an encouraging word…..Heaven just go an enormous injection of glamorous & fabulosity. ….much love to the family….Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong
Thursday October 13, 2022
Bess, you were a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration to anyone who was paying attention. You embodied the essence of girl power, never backing down, with your eyes directed forward, never back. I will miss your presence in our salon, always quick with a quip, a clever story or an encouraging word.....Heaven just go an enormous injection of glamorous & fabulosity. ....much love to the family....Kelly Armstrong
Miss Bess I have thought of you often over the years. You will be missed.
Robbie Reeves
Robbie Reeves
Thursday October 13, 2022
Miss Bess I have thought of you often over the years. You will be missed.
Robbie Reeves