Obituary of Tena Marie Miller Hardin

Tena Marie Miller Hardin, age 59, passed away peacefully on December 14th, 2022 at her home in Wytheville, Virginia. With her loving family surrounding her, Tena went to be with her heavenly family. Love endures all things. Tena was born on March 20th, 1963 in Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland the daughter of (late) David Foy Miller and Martha Sue Akers Miller. At the age of 12, Tena and her family moved to Wythe County, Virginia to live on her paternal great-grandparents farm. She attended and graduated from Rural Retreat High School and later attended and graduated from Wytheville Community College with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assistantship. The majority of Tena’s work life was dedicated to the field of physical therapy. She formed lasting relationships with many of her patients over the years with more than a few wanting to “adopt her”. Tena had a kind and gentle soul, always caring for others’ needs above her own. She never spoke to anyone harshly or with angry words…well almost never… Tena had absolutely no tolerance for the mistreatment of animals and was quick to come to their defense. Hidden under that meek and mild demeanor was a strong and independent woman. No doubt, there will be many stories told over the years to come of Tena’s love and defense of animals. On October 1st, 1983, Tena married the love of her life, Steven Mark Hardin. On November 3rd, 1992, the second love of Tena’s life arrived, a little daughter named Amber Marie…who Tena adored and possibly spoiled a little. Tena Marie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and niece. The Sun shines a little less brightly today for all of us who loved her. Tena was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, David and Reba Miller and maternal grandparents, Coy and Elsie Akers. Along with Tena’s husband, daughter, and son-in-law, Joseph Daniel, those left to carry on her memory include her mother; brother, Jeffrey Miller (Cindy), niece, Julie Miller; nephew, Jacob Miller, of Rural Retreat, Virginia; her sister, Donna Nicholson (Scott); niece, Sarah Zerkle; nephew, Artie Shaefer, of Florida; just like a brother, Troy “Bird” Ford of Christiansburg, VA; brothers-in-law, David R. Hardin, Jr. of Bluefield, WV; sisters-in-law, Sandra Hardin Wright (Tony), Amy Hardin Wickham, Chance Hardin Osborne (Donald); special aunt, Jeannie Miller Anderson; and numerous other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral service will be held 2 P.M. Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Reverend Jack Rutherford with interment to follow in the Lebanon Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 12noon until service time. Flowers will be appreciated, or donations to your local animal shelter. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.