Nellie Hyde Harward, 101, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab.

Born in Haywood County on November 13, 1924, she was the daughter of the late J.B. Hyde and Annie Belle Cutts.

Nellie worked for more than thirty years for the American Tobacco Company in Durham, NC. She had a deep love for country music and was an avid gardener with a special love for orchids.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 9326 Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Rev. Cameron Currin will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Roxada H. Story; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; special friends, Judy Milton, Mr. Oscar Parrott, Shelley Whitehead, her Bethel Church family, the staff and residents at Coventry House of Oxford and the wound care team at Maria Parham Hospital and numerous other friends who will cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeter Wanger Harward; one sister, Lillie H. Grissom; one brother, Henry "Gene" Hyde and three nieces, Peggy Grissom, Patsy G. Watkins and Judy G. Watkins.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Tammy Watkins for her compassionate care and love; to Lorraine Royster, who dedicated herself, not just to the care of Nellie over the last eight months, but for a loving and dear friendship.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Tunnel to Towers or the Masonic home for Children; four organizations that were near and dear to Nellie's heart.