Lester Blanton Hardin was born September 7, 1925 in Robeson County, NC and died June 27, 2017. Mr. Hardin lived most of his life in Lumberton, NC where he was an active member of the First Baptist Church. He was an active member of the Lumberton Lions Club at the time of his death with 42 years of service. He was honorably discharged in 1947 from the United States Army, as Private First Class, where he received a WWII Victory Medal. He also retired from the State of North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Division.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Clara Mae Hardin and Magalene Nye Hardin; one son, Jeffery Bryce Hardin; his mother, Nannie Hardin Sellers; brothers, Charles (Hutch) Sellers and W. Sam Sellers; and sister, Louise Hayden.

Mr. Hardin is survived by his daughter, Wanda Hardin Smith (Robin); his son, Michael Lynn Hardin (Jane); five grandchildren, Angela Williamson (Tommy), Tracy Stancil, Lauren Morse (Dave), Brian Hardin (Sara), David Hardin, and daughter-in-law Anne Hardin; four great-grandchildren, Dustin and Nicole Stancil, Keaton and Emma Williamson; a brother, Truman Sellers of TX; and a sister Mary Viola Rupprechet of FL.

A time for visitation with the family will be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 5:00-7:30 PM at the home of Mike Hardin, 416 Barker Ten Mile Road in Lumberton and on Saturday, July 1, 2017 from 10:15-11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Lumberton.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Lumberton with Dr. David Elks officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorials are encouraged to be made to Southeastern Hospice House, 1100 Pine Run Drive, Lumberton, NC 28358 or the Lions Club, 1985 Carthage Road, Lumberton, NC 28360 or First Baptist Church of Lumberton, 606 N. Walnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358.