Ex-Virginia election official L.S. Hardaway dies at 81

The day L. Stanley Hardaway was sworn in as secretary of the State Board of Elections, he had to put his tractor away early from harvesting peanuts on his Sussex County farm. He had already asked for a few days' delay before starting the state board job so he could get the crop in and finish his responsibilities as Sussex County general registrar.

He had also served as clerk for two state Senate committees -- Privileges and Elections, and Finance.

Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. appointed Mr. Hardaway in 1967 to replace the retired secretary of elections, Levin Nock Davis. Mr. Hardaway served in that position until February 1971.

Mr. Hardaway, who lived in Stony Creek, died Monday in the home where he was born. He was 81.

A graveside service will be held today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. in the Winfield family cemetery in Stony Creek.

Mr. Hardaway volunteered for service in the Navy in 1946 and was an administrator yeoman in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. He took over operation of the family farm in 1950 when his father, Embra Hardaway, retired at age 78.

There are no immediate survivors.