Jean Yvette Hardison was born on February 21, 1963 to the late Jessie and Clara Hardison. Jean was the twin to Joan Hardison and they were the last of 8 children in the Hardison family.. Because they were twins and the babies, they received more attention than the other six children. As a matter of fact, the oldest child had the responsibility of one twin and the second oldest had the responsibility of the other. It was normal to hear, “Make sure your baby don’t wake my baby up”, or “ Your baby has my baby’s pacifier,” all over the house.

Jean, affectionately known as ‘Cokey’, grew up in Camden, New Jersey and attended the Camden public school system along with her siblings. She and her twin were involved with choir and dance. She always had a large following of friends because of her warm and funny personality. Her smile could light up a room.

Jean attended New Mickle Baptist Church along with her family and accepted the Lord at a very early age. Jean met the love of her life, Preston Ronald Smith, when she was a mere teenager, but she knew he was the one for her. Out of that love came seven children. Jean was the epitome of what a mother should be, not perfect, but perfectly loving her children and grandchildren. Even when she was diagnosed with severe neuropathy that first confined her to a wheelchair and then to bed, she still did everything to take care of her children.

God took Jean home on Sunday, June 30, 2024 to be with Him. She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy two sons, Preston and Jerred (1 preceded her, Amir); five daughters, Sedia, Danaya, Tierrah, Janae and Chelsea; 1 brother, Alfonso Hardison (2 preceded her, Henry and Kevin), 3 sisters, Mary Sykes, Linda and Joan Hardison; (1 preceded her, Earlene Moon); 11 grandchildren, Jahniya, Jordyn, Jadarose, Tahjanae, Tahjaye, Daiquan, Jeremiah, Jordan, Ibn, Jaden, Paris, Lavonne. Anaya and Jayquan; three great-grandchildren Za’miah and Za’Niah (twins), and Major. A host of other family and friends.