Tenley Ann Harkey suddenly passed away on January 9, 2023, at 64. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother and a devoted wife. Unfortunately, none of her family or loved ones are ready to say goodbye.

Tenley was raised in Vestal, New York. Later relocating to Charlotte, NC, in the early 1980s to be near her immediate family. North Carolina then became Tenley's "home" state, where she learned to live on a cattle farm with her soulmate and husband, Jim, and Daughter, Arielle. She lost that New York accent and became quite comfortable with her Southern dialect. Tenley was never shy about bottle-feeding calves that could not feed off their mother. She embraced this life with her husband.

Tenley spent much of her career in Procurement. Buying materials and working proposals in support of our government and our military's defense.

Simple pleasures in life brought Tenley joy. She loved gardening, her indoor plants, outdoor gardens, playing with her kitties, fires in the fireplace, and playing solitaire on her phone. She had traditions of watching The Wizard of Oz with her daughter Arielle, football filled Sunday's with her husband, Jim, and especially loved listening to her '70s and '80s music nightly. That was her "Music time." Her passion for music and dancing fueled her throughout her life.

Tenley's parents would take the "Sullivan" family to Myrtle Beach every summer. She loved lying out on the beach, and she was always the one that had the darkest tan. It must have been that baby oil and Iodine concoction.

Tenley and her older brother Brooks certainly had some crazy adventures as teenagers. They certainly kept her parents on their toes.

Tenley and her sister Trena had quite a bond. They lived together for many years as young adults, experiencing, and navigating life's ups and downs. They were a great team in the kitchen. Trena was the cook, and Tenley was the baker, not to mention the one that would clean up after Trena while she was turning the kitchen into a disaster.

Tenley was the oldest daughter of six children. She often had the babysitting responsibility of her younger siblings, Trena, Karen, Marc, and Matt. Saturdays were chore days in the "Sullivan" house, while the parents went grocery shopping. Often Tenley was the referee over her younger siblings while having squirt fights with the various disinfectants in spray bottles. Plus, there was the famous sibling rotten banana fight held in the kitchen. Even her older brother Brooks was home from college to partake in this event. Needless to say, Mom and Dad were not happy when they got home!

Tenley loved with her whole heart. She loved wholly and passionately. She was fortunate to have met the love of her life , Jim Harkey, and they spent over 25 years together. She loved spending quality time with her daughter, Arielle doing "Girly things." Plus, Tenley was given a great gift. The opportunity of being reconnected with her son, Brent.

Tenley had the most beautiful face and big blue eyes. Those eyes were always quite the attention-getter. Tenley had no problem maintaining eye contact with people, that was for sure. Along with that famous "Sullivan" smile, she had a unique laugh that would bubble up from her chest while feverishly shaking her head. "No."

Although Tenley was known for being sweet, somewhat shy, and hesitant to try new things, we marveled over her internal strength. She tended to want to stay and live in her comfort zone. But when she had to fight one of life's challenges, she did with all her might. We admired her for that.

Fast-forward to today, we hope Tenley is happy and at peace. Hopefully, she will be reunited with her family members, friends, and kitties, that have also passed. We will miss her dearly and do whatever we can to keep her memory alive because Tenley and her life mattered.

Tenley was survived by her husband James Harkey, her children Arielle Hendrick and Brent Keeter, stepchildren Brian Harkey and Scott Harkey, brother Brooks Sullivan, sisters Trena Sullivan, Karen Melatti, and mother Karylee Sullivan.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Holland Funeral Service, 806 Circle Drive, Monroe, NC 28112.

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Harkey Family.