Lilla Kate Parramore Hart, 93, died Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at South Georgia Medical Center. Family and friends are grateful she was active, living independently until the end.

Born November 28, 1932, in Valdosta, the daughter of the late Redden L. Parramore and Dinah Roberts Parramore. Except for five years early in her marriage, she was resident of Valdosta her entire life.

Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, she lived with the extended Roberts family in the Wisenbaker-Wells-Roberts House, known as the “Big House” to the family. The household included her parents; her brother Redden L. Parramore, Jr.; her sister Mary Remer Parramore; and three of her mother’s sisters, two of whom were also raising their own children in the house. With a father who had eight siblings and a mother with six siblings, Lilla Kate enjoyed close relationships with a large network of aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout her life.

She graduated from Valdosta High School in 1949 and Agnes Scott College in 1953. Her classmates from both schools remained lifelong friends gathering for reunions every five years for the rest of their lives. A proud “Scottie,” Lilla Kate was one of three classmates who attended their 70th Agnes Scott reunion in 2022.

Attending classes at Columbia University in New York City in 1954, she met George H. Hart, Jr. from Brookline, Massachusetts, who worked in the advertising business. They married within a few months on March 31, 1955. They started their married life in Queens, New York, where they lived for four years before moving to Valdosta in 1959 with their three eldest sons, when George started working in the family’s wholesale oil business.

In the 1970s, she attended Valdosta State College, earning a master’s in education. She taught science at St. John’s School and Valdosta High School. Accepting a friend’s advice that she was too kindhearted to be a public high school teacher, she changed careers and became a library associate at South Georgia Regional Library where she worked for over fifteen years until her retirement.

Following her father’s example, she joined the Central Avenue Church of Christ. She faithfully served for many years as the teacher for the three-year-olds Sunday school class. She enjoyed the fellowship of the Ladies Bible Class and the informal Friday nights supper club.

Very active in the community, she was a member and often (repeatedly) served in leadership roles in the Colonial Dames, Cotillion Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Lowndes County Historical Society, Mystery Club, Readers’ Forum, Valle d’Asota Italian American Club, Valdosta Junior Service League, and Withlacoochee Bird Watchers. Lilla Kate was deeply social and loved being with people. One of George’s and her favorite activities was hosting dinners for the groups they supported either at home or at Ocean Pond.

Lilla Kate was a dedicated gardener, family genealogist and local historian. Ever since owning her first home in 1959, she was devoted to gardens. She was especially proud of the camellias she transplanted from the Big House gardens. In retirement, she qualified as a Master Gardener through University of Georgia Extension program. She documented both sides of her family - Roberts and Parramore - as well as her husband’s Hart family, updating her records with every birth and death announcement. She published a collection of her mother’s letters, to and from friends and beaus in the years before her marriage. In 2021, Valdosta State University honored her with the invitation to participate in the ribbon cutting to reopen the renovated Powell Hall, the same building she saw First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt dedicate in 1941.

Survivors are her sons William “Bill” Hart of Valdosta and Edward (Karen) Hart of Dallas, Texas; daughters - in- law, Nancy Hart of Macon, Judy Chason of Valdosta, Bonita Hart and Sheila Sayers both of Perry, Florida; grandsons John (Erin) Hart, II of Perry, Florida, Michael Hart of Macon and Sean (Jami) Hart of Bonaire, Georgia; and James Hart of Dallas, Texas; step grandchildren, Amanda (Brett) Meeks of Tifton, Craig (Amy) Hunt of Greenville, South Carolina, Erika (Chris) Grambling and Mallory (Josh) Williams, both of Perry, Florida; great grandchildren Adalynn, Mason, Leelynn, Jackson, and Hollynn; nine step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; and her sister-in-law, Connie Parramore of Columbia, South Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years George H. Hart, Jr. and her three sons George H. Hart III, Redden Hart, and John Remer Hart, as well as her brother Dr. Redden L. Parramore and sister Mary Remer Parramore.

Funeral services will be held at the graveside on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Cemetery. John Klimko and Columbus Carter will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Lowndes County Historical Society or Raintree Village: Children and Family Services. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Hart Family.