SELMA JO (GILMORE) METZGER HARDIN,
age 88, of Little Rock, died July 19, 2023. She was born October 26,
1934, in Little Rock, to the late Joseph P. Gilmore and Pauline Kirspel Gilmore.
She was the youngest of five children. She loved her two sisters and her brother and remained close to them throughout their lives. She was always sad that she never knew her oldest brother, Joseph, Jr. who died at the age of six months.
Mrs. Metzger was valedictorian of her graduating class from Mt. St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Chi Theta honorary fraternities and Chi Omega Sorority. She dearly loved her God and Savior and was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was a choir member for eight years and served on many committees. She enjoyed playing tennis, hunting, fishing, and bowling.
She married Ray Metzger, Jr. in 1955 and was married 45 years until his death in 2000. Being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was what was most important to Selma. When her children were in grade school at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, she served as a room mother every year. She held every office in the PTO including president in 1967-68, she was a cub scout den mother and a playground volunteer.
She also was active in the community as a volunteer. She was an active alumna of Mt. St. Mary Academy and served as president of the Alumnae Association in 1983 and 1984. She served on the Junior Board and the Senior Board of Florence Crittenton Services and on the Board of Youth Home, Inc. She was a life member of St. Vincent Auxiliary and the Arkansas Art Center. She volunteered in Youth Home’s Red Door Thrift Shop, at St. Vincent Hospital, Florence Crittenton Home, the Art Center, the Oasis Renewal Center and for the Arkansas Tennis Association which her husband, Ray, reorganized in 1959. She helped organize the first “Mixed Up Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament” to raise funds for the AR Tennis Patrons’ Foundation in 1960 and she trained all the ballboys for the U. S. Davis Cup tie with Chile at Burns Park in 1973. Her volunteer work at Florence Crittenton led to a position as Director of Development in 1985, a position she held for 15 years. During this time, she began many new development programs, including the Woman of Distinction Dinner which continued to be the Home’s primary fund-raising activity for 18 years.
Selma was preceded in death by her first husband, Ray Metzger, Jr.; her parents; her two brothers, Joseph Peter Gilmore, Jr. and James Edward Gilmore; and her two sisters, Jane Gilmore McDowell Williams and Pauline Gilmore Martin.
In 2012, Selma married her High School Sweetheart, Howard Hardin. They enjoyed 10 wonderful years together. Traveling to visit their eight children and their families kept them on the go. They also enjoyed playing cards and dining out with friends.
Survivors include her husband, Howard Hardin, a daughter: Paula Metzger Viall and three sons: Ray Metzger, III and wife Sarah; Gil Metzger and wife Laura; and John Metzger and wife Jeanne; Eight grandchildren: Brianne Dambach and husband Erik; Michelle Metzger, Marian Shaffer and husband Andrew, Maria Rogers and husband Josh, Katie Metzger, Amy Ward and husband Jordan; Zachary Viall, Christopher Viall and wife, Jessica; Four great-grandchildren, Beau and Hazel Ward and Sam and Olivia Rogers.
Selma is also survived by Howard’s four loving daughters: Karen Haring and husband Bret; Barbara Powers and husband Mike; Alice Krupa and Amy Surber and husband Fred. She loved these additions to her list of children and her list of 11 more grandchildren: Bryan Haring and wife Katie, Emily Thevarajoo and husband Morgan; Michaela Juckins and husband Kyler, Barrett Powers and Alison Powers; Gabrielle, Rebecca, Bryce, and Keira Krupa; Eric and Rachel Surber; two great-grandaughters Holland and Summer Juckins.
She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Billie Gilmore, of Little Rock, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends.
Visitation will be held on July 24th at 6:30 p.m. followed by Rosary at7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 25, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church followed by internment at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Carmelite Nuns, 7201 W. 32nd St, Little Rock 72204; Mt. St. Mary’s Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh, Little Rock 72205; Christ the King Church, 4000 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, 72212; or a favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. Sign Selma’s online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.