Sharlott Hardesty Small

Sharlott Small, age 93, passed away peacefully at home. She was born Sharlott Jane Hardesty to Luther (Luke) Hardesty Sr. and Ethel Hardesty of Buckeye, AZ. She grew up in Buckeye and graduated from Buckeye High School in 1946 as salutatorian.
Moving to San Diego she went to San Diego State College (now San Diego State University. Go Aztecs!). There, she majored in education and minored in math, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education and a teaching credential. While at State, she joined what would later become Gamma Phi Beta sorority. In her senior year, she served as president during the year the group joined the national organization. After graduation, Sharlott put her math background to use at General Dynamics / Convair in San Diego. She eventually became the leader of the Engineering Aides section of the Aerodynamics Group (about 20 people, mostly women). The group interfaced with about 100 engineers. They were responsible for reducing wind tunnel test data. This was done with 10-key calculators, pencils, and paper. At the time, GD was developing and building the F-102 and F-106 delta wing Interceptor fighter aircraft. So, the next time life seems like it’s a little rough, sit down with a handful of #2 pencils and some paper and try solving life the old-school way. You might surprise yourself.
It was at Convair that Sharlott met her husband of 65+ years, Robert “Bob” Small. They made their home in La Mesa and raised their three boys together. Sharlott enjoyed being a “baseball mom” and later a “basketball mom” to her boys and her grandson. She loved watching her granddaughter compete with her horse in equestrian events (jumping, dressage, and cross country). In addition to kid’s sports, she was a member of the Helix Unit of the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary for years. She most enjoyed dancing with Bob and playing bridge with other baseball moms and auxiliary unit members.
One of the things that most distinguished Sharlott was the way she kept up her relationships throughout her life. She stayed in contact with many childhood friends from Arizona as well as her sorority sisters. Her Little League friends were lifelong as well as her fellow auxiliary members. She was always interested in her children’s friends and teachers and always knew what was going on in their lives. It has been quoted that “prior to the World Wide Web, there has always been ‘Sharlott’s Web’”.
Sharlott was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Luke Hardesty, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Bob, her sons David, Brian (Donna), and Kent (Debbie), as well as her grandchildren Kyle and Brianna. No services are planned at this time. Please consider a donation to Rady Children’s Hospital or Little League Baseball in her memory.

Arrangements by featheringillmortuary.com