Shirley Ann Hardieway Muhammad

December 28, 1934 - June 28, 2021

This is a life’s celebration of Shirley Ann (Massey) Hardieway Muhammad or Mother Hardieway as so many affectionately call her. Mother was born in Saint Louis 1934 from the union of Q B Massey and Carrie S. (Smith) Massey, members of Central Baptist Church. She was the eldest of two children. Both she and her brother, Larry A. Massey attended, Marshall and Simmons Elementary Schools and Sumner High School. They were raised in a time when our community was more unified, black neighborhood businesses were present on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive (Easton Ave) and everybody knew each other in the Ville Neighborhood, specifically, Sarah Street and North Market. Among her fondest memories as a child was having, Julia Davis, as her elementary teacher. She joined the Sumner High School choir and began vocal instruction under Dr. Kenneth Billups. Shirley loved to sing and she could really hold a tune to the point that, Dr. Billups, asked her if she would accept a scholarship to Julliard School of Music. At the time, she could not accept his offer, she had fallen in love with her teenage sweetheart, Norman Hardieway, Jr. and was pregnant with her first child, Janiece. She did not let that stop her desire to sing, she continued to practice and improve her vocal skills to become a member of the “Wings Over Jordan” and “Legend Singers” choir. In the 1960’s, she received a surprise visit from a high school classmate, Ronald Townson, of the 5th Dimension, who asked her to join their group in Los Angeles. Again, she could not accept the invitation, as she put it, “I cannot leave my family”. While raising her family of eight (8), Mother, continued to strive to improve herself and her community. She joined the neighborhood Block Unit and became Block Captain, where she helped coordinate fundraisers, block parties and socials for the children and parents. She also became an Evangelist in the 60’s and 70’s under the guidance of Bishop Perl Murray of Truevine Spiritual Church on West Belle. She began praying, prophesying and laying hands on those needing physical and spiritual healing. She volunteered at Saint Edwards the local elementary school her children attended in the early 60’s. After several months, she was hired as a Teacher’s Aide and later Lead Teacher with the Archdiocese Head Start Program. The next eighteen (18) years lead her to continue her education at Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park, Fontbonne University and Maryville University acquiring a Nursery/Preschool certification in Montessori. Mother, was later employed by May Department Stores (Famous-Barr), Clayton and West County locations for ten (10) years. Upon her retirement, she returned to her first love, teaching at Janan Child Development Center to become the Preschool and Reading Instructor. Mother converted to Islam in 1997 after attending a weekend lecture series led by Brother Minister Jabril Muhammad in Des Moines, Iowa. Mother supported the efforts of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in any way she could by offering her services at Mosque #28 and supporting educational activities. She would often take road trips to Chicago to hear a lecture at Mosque Maryam, attend Saviour’s Day, The Holy Day of Atonement or an educational workshop sponsored by the Nation. In early 2004 the family moved to Homewood, Illinois and returned to Saint Louis in 2006. Upon her return to Saint Louis, she became a great support as a Preschool/Kindergarten teacher with Janan Academy and Muhammad Islamic Academy-Affiliate School of Muhammad University of Islam until 2020. She had an impact on the lives of many children including her grand and great-grandchildren, who attended these schools. She nurtured, taught and encouraged so many children at Janan Academy and Muhammad Islamic Academy to develop their God given gifts from Preschool to 4th grade. Upon her return to Saint Louis, she became a great support as a Preschool/Kindergarten teacher with Janan Academy and Muhammad Islamic Academy-Affiliate School of Muhammad University of Islam until 2020. She had an impact on the lives of many children including her grand and great-grandchildren, who attended these schools. She nurtured, taught and encouraged so many children at Janan Academy and Muhammad Islamic Academy to develop their God given gifts from Preschool to 4th grade. Mother, we thank you for your sacrifice, the determination, integrity, love, and example you have shown us! You and Dad are an example of Black Love, a marriage that lasted over 63 years and produced eight (8) children. Mother is preceded in death by her parents; sister in law, Camille (Dimple) Shelton; son, Timothy, (2013); husband, Norman, Jr. (2016); sister-in-law, Louvella (2020); brother-in-law, Alonzo (2020); cousin, June Daniels (NYC-2020); nephew, Kevin J. Massey (2020); and grandson, Hasani Jr. (2021). She leaves family to cherish joyful memories, her brother, Larry Massey; brother in law, Roger Hardieway; and sister in law, Edwina; her children, Janiece Muhammad, (Ibrahim), Norman III, (Joyce), William, Andre, (Tracey), Judy, Gary, and Hasani (Beverly), ex-daughter in laws, DeBorah, and Sandra, ex-son in laws, Joseph Scoggin, Jr. and Walter Williams; grandchildren, Takisha, Yusef Scoggin-(Kristen), Ayanna Scoggin-Thomas -(Herbert), Chassity Kaiser, Candice Grissom, Tiffany Lovejoy-Hardieway- (Maurio), Norman IV, Kashif Williams, Michael, Trent, Shareefah Williams, Jeremiah Woods; twelve (12) step grandchildren, twenty-three (23) great grandchildren; ten (10) step great grandchildren and one great-great grandson, many nieces, nephews and cousins.