Ardis Maureen Messick Hatch of Brevard, NC, passed away peacefully in her sleep early on the morning of Sunday, July 14, 2024. She was 87 years old.

She was born on February 10, 1937, and grew up in Little Washington, NC, the daughter of Jesse and Cassie Messick. “Captain” Jess owned and operated Messick Lumber Company in Washington, and Cassie was a homemaker and active volunteer. Ardis had one sister, Rita, who was 12 years her senior and has predeceased her.

Ardis was equally beautiful and smart as a young woman, a majorette and beauty queen who once held the title of Miss Beaufort County. She graduated from Duke University, where she was president of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, a position that led to her lifelong philosophy of never joining a club or organization unless she could be president.

Ardis married James M. “Jim” Kimzey of Brevard after college, and they settled in Raleigh where Jim began to practice law. They raised three boys, James, Brad and Tabe, there in Raleigh and at her cherished family cottage on the Pamlico River at Rest Haven, “The River”.

Ardis was a noted poet and author with a number of books to her credit and dozens of poems and children’s book reviews published in periodicals and anthologies including The Longview Journal, Southern Poetry Review, The Raleigh News & Observer, and The New York Times Book Review. An anthology of her poetry, The Illusion of Water, was published in 1978.

She created the North Carolina Poetry-in-the-Schools Program in the early 1970s, criss-crossing the state to teach poetry writing to countless public school students and teachers. The program put more than 30 published poets into more than 60 schools in North Carolina, introducing poetry and teaching writing, sometimes for the first time, to children across the state. This work resulted in her book To Defend a Form: The Romance of Administration and Teaching in a Poetry-in-The-Schools Program, a step-by-step guide to managing a cutting-edge state-wide arts education program, and, more importantly, teaching children how to open their hearts to the beauty of the poetry we all have within us. During this time Ardis also taught in a number of capacities, including in the Writers’ Workshop at North Carolina State University.

Ardis then became an executive under Governor Jim Hunt, working as special assistant for arts education to the North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources. She helped spearhead the Arts and the Child Conference, then planned and managed the grand opening of the new North Carolina Museum of Art, an event that lasted for a week and hosted more than 20,000 people. She also helped lead the team that hosted the 400th Anniversary of North Carolina in Manteo, an epic event that featured the christening of a newly-built 1500’s style sailing ship, the Elizabeth II, and visits by British royalty.

For her work in furthering arts education in the state, Governor Hunt awarded her the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest recognition for service.

After public service, Ardis quickly shifted gears to the private sector, creating Ardis Hatch Events, which became one of the most sought-after events management companies in the southeast. As CEO and owner, Ardis helmed a company that threw enormous parties ranging from glitzy black-tie corporate affairs to expansive company picnics with thousands of attendees. The company handled everything from food, music, and entertainment to parking, crowd control and cleanup.

Privately, Ardis had found a perfect partner in her life, her second husband Ed Hatch. Ed, a Raleigh attorney, had the thoughtful, grounded sensibility that helped anchor Ardis’ creative exuberance. They adored each other, and remained by each other’s side until Ed’s passing in 2011.

Ardis moved to Brevard, NC, after Ed’s death, to be closer to family. There she became especially close with her daughter-in-law, Lisa Kimzey, and her granddaughter, Jess Kimzey, Ardis’ father’s namesake and, like young Ardis, a striking blonde-haired beauty of exceptional intelligence and ability.

Ardis is survived by her son James Kimzey and his wife Terri; her son Brad Kimzey and his wife Lisa; and granddaughters Shay, Carly, and Jess. Her son Tabor Kimzey predeceased her in 2020.

A riverside service will be held on the banks of the Pamlico River at the site of the Rest Haven Sunday School on Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m., to be followed by a barbecue and fried chicken lunch. To RSVP or for more information, email ardishatchservice@gmail.com

Ardis asked that in lieu of flowers, any remembrances be made in the form of donations to Friends of Brown Library at 122 Van Norden St., Washington, NC, 27889, telephone (252) 946-4300.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.