Hilda Inman, age 94, affectionately known as "Mudear" peacefully passed unto Glory to be with the Lord, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, in Camilla, Georgia.

Hilda Belle Willis Garrard Inman was born February 12, 1928, in Buffalo, New York to the late John Willis and Brunetta Ganaway McCoy.

She graduated from Holloway High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1945 and received a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1950.  In 1977, Mrs. Inman received a Masters of Elementary Education from Georgia Southwestern University in Americus Georgia. Mrs. Inman was an exemplary educator, mentor, and musician. She started her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse with grades k-12 in rural Rutherford County, Tennessee.  Though she taught all grades at her first job, her favorite assignment remained First grade, which she taught in Mitchell County Schools for 37 years, from 1956 to 1993.

She married William David Garrard in 1951. To this union were born two children, Brunetta R. Garrard and Reginald David Garrard. She was widowed after two years and moved to Camilla Georgia. She met her forever, lifelong companion, Hugh Inman, the "Daddy" to her children, her loving husband; to whom she was "Baby Dear".  On June 7, 1958, they married in Camilla, Georgia. Together, they formed a legendary union as public school educators; he as a physical education teacher, coach, referee, and principal. She as a teacher, choir director, musician and youth advocate. Both were greatly admired and respected by students, staff and parents.  Living a life highlighted by community service and dedication, Mr. and Mrs. "Emma" were highly regarded for their efforts and achievements in guidance, mentorship, and leadership.

Mrs. Inman was a resolute community servant and volunteer. She was a 1960 founding member of the "Les Douze Amies" the twelve friends social professional club in Camilla Georgia.  She diligently supported the organizations efforts in providing scholarship opportunities to young high school women while fostering debutante balls and dinners and contributions through the community.   Mrs. Inman was a member of Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a choir director, pianist, vacation Bible school teacher. She sang in a variety of choirs at church and school, helped to direct plays and schooled and tutored generations of students. Even after retiring, she provided tutoring to pre-school and elementary children in her home, extending, support and love to them and their families. She LOVED to teach.

Mrs. Inman was known for her strictness, calmness, tough love, and sacrificial dedication.  She served with a smile. Essentially a lifelong fashionista, she was admired for her long, lithe, frame and bold choices in color and style. Naturally photogenic, Mudear never met a camera that she didn't like, and the feeling was mutual.

Mrs. Inman was an ardent, reader, writer, as well as an occasional poet. She also delved into Black History and promoted studies and recollections of the ancestors. As the oldest living member of the Ganaway family of Tennessee, she charitably and gleefully provided written and oral detailed accounts of its lineage to family historians and multiple relatives. Mudear collected, ornate perfume bottles, music boxes, crystal and porcelain bells, Black angel figurines, decorative commemorative plates, costume jewelry, and the hearts of about everyone who met her. She was preceded in death by her, beloved husband, Hugh Inman, and two sons, infant Hugh Inman, Jr., and Reginald David Garrard of Camilla, Georgia.

She is survived by her sister, Martha Easley of Murfreesboro Tennessee; loving children, Harnetha Dodd of Albany Georgia, Brunetta Garrard of Columbus Ohio, and Aaron Demetrius (Tabitha) Stitt of Surry, Virginia. Mrs. Inman was adored by her grandchildren Brittany Janelle Silas, Kelsie Dodd, Andrew Dodd, Jaelyn M. Daniels, Jaidyn Aamya Stitt, Jadasadyni Stitt, and great-grandchildren Cameron Silas and Zanaieya Stitt. Godchildren are Dwan Williams, Renata Douglas, Shalonda Brinson, Courtney Smith, Brandon Smith, Isreal Eady, III, Maya Eady-McCarthy, Giles Eady and Abraham Wesley. Mrs. Inman is also survived by a very special former caregiver, Scarlette Hall Brown; and a devoted sitter Rosie Almond. She has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews: as well as a unique, extended, diverse set of friends, relatives and associates in Camilla and throughout the nation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Mrs. Inman can be made to the Inman Family, in care of Harnetha Dodd.