A TIME TO BE BORN:

Hugh Inman was born on October 30, 1929 in Quitman, Georgia to the late Everlena Johnson Inman and Eli Inman.


A TIME TO LEARN:

Mr. Inman graduated from Brooks County High School, Quitman, Georgia and received a B.A. degree in Health and Physical Education from Fort Valley State College now Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia in 1952.  In 1964, he received a Master's of Education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.  In 1967, he completed a five-year certificate in School Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  He served in the Army Medical Corps from 1952 until 1954, teaching troops and coaching in tours of duty through Germany and the Netherlands.


A TIME TO LIVE:

On June 7, 1958, Hugh Inman married Hilda Willis Garrard in Camilla, Georgia.

Mr. Inman, also known as "Chief," "Coach," "Mr. Emma," enjoyed a long illustrious career as a teacher, coach, mentor, principal, advisor, community leader/activist, and church leader.  In 1960, he introduced football to the then segregated African-American School, Camilla Consolidated.  He served as health and physical education teacher and coached football, basketball, and track.  He was principal of Camilla Consolidated Elementary School from 1965 to 1970; served as principal of Mitchell County Elementary School from 1970 to 1993, while continuing to coach varsity football in Mitchell County High School from 1970-1979.  He extended his exemplary efforts to educate, motivate, and challenge staff, students, and parents until he retired from the Mitchell County School System in 1993.

Mr. Inman's community service endeavors and accomplishments include:

* Active membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Albany, Georgia, Alumni Chapter
* National Education Association
* Georgia Education Association
* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
* American Legion Post 518
* Mitchell-Baker Retired Educators Association

He also served as:

* Chairman of the Board of Camilla Chamber of Commerce
* Commissioner at the Camilla Housing Authority
* Founding member and president of Mitchell County Boys and Girls Club

Mr. Inman was also a steward at St. Peter A.M.E. Church and taught a Sunday School class of 6-8 grade students at Union Missionary Baptist Church for fifty years.

Mr. Inman will be especially remembered for his kindness, dedication, compassion, character and perseverance.  He has left a legacy of inestimable value that embodies caring, concern, and selfless giving.  His awards and achievements, which are far too numerous to be listed, include the naming of Walker-Inman Elementary School in his honor (2006), induction in the Mitchell County Sports Hall of Fame (1999), citizen of the year by the Camilla Chamber of Commerce (1997).


A TIME TO DIE:

Hugh Inman peacefully went home to be with the Lord, at his home, on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.


SURVIVORS:

Mr. Inman leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of fifty-three years, Mrs. Hilda B. Inman; sisters, Carolyn Louise Hearns and Margaret Malloy; children, Reginald Garrard, Brunetta Garrard, Harnetha (Andre) Dodd, Aaron Demetrius (Tabitha) Stitt; grandchildren, Brittany Janelle Silas, Kelsie Deandre Dodd, Andrew Dodd, Jada Stitt, Jaelyn Daniels, and Jaidyn Stitt; a great grandchild, Cameron D. Silas; godchildren, Dwan Williams, Renata Douglas, Shalonda Brinson, Courtney Smith, Brandon Smith, Lee Eady, Maya Eady, Giles Eady, and Abraham Wesley.

Mr. Inman is also survived by a very special caregiver and "daughter," Scarlette Hall Brown; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a unique extended family of close friends.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Johnson and Ann Jefferson; and an infant son, Hugh Inman, Jr.



FUNERAL SERVICE

The funeral service of Hugh Inman will be conducted Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Mitchell County High School, 1000 Newton Road, Camilla.  A repast will follow at South Mitchell County Elementary School Cafeteria, 50 Griffin Road, Camilla.

Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Inman can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 315 Second Street, Tifton, Georgia and to Saint Peter A.M.E. Church, 165 Stephens Street, Camilla, Georgia.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Stewards of St. Peter A.M.E. Church, American Legion Post 518.

Active Pallbearers will be John M. Bradley, Berry Perry, Otis Perry, Jr., Herman Pittman, Brandon Smith, Fundrail Quimbley, Jr.

The family will receive friends at Robert Jester Mortuary on Friday, April 20, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Tribute
Hugh Inman Kept A Garden

Hugh Inman kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.

He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.

His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.

We are Hugh Inman's garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you Mr. Inman we love you.

Family
Fellow Church Members
Fraternity Brothers
Past and Present Faculty and Staff of Mitchell County School System
Friends
Parents and former students of Mitchell County Schools