Patricia Tish B. Hartman

Patricia (Tish) Jean Ballard Hartman was freed of earthly burdens on August 4th, 2015. Tish was born on September 14th , 1938 in Memphis, Tennessee to Herschel Charles and Georgia Louise Ballard and was predeceased by her only sibling Margaret Hunter. She is survived by her husband of 54 years Fred; daughters, Suzanne Hartman and Sheila Halter; son-in-law Kevin Halter; granddaughter, Gracie Halter (all residing in the Atlanta area); and sister-in-law, Joan Hartman of Memphis, Tennessee.

At a young age, Tish displayed an unusual talent and affinity for dance and was trained in ballet, tap, modern, and jazz from the fourth grade through graduation from Messick High School in 1956. While attending the University of Memphis, she served as treasurer of her junior class, an officer in Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and was elected Dream Girl of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After college, she worked briefly as a reservationist for American Airlines and began an illustrious career in dance as an instructor for the Memphis Park Commission. After several years in Iowa City and Urbana, while Fred was completing his doctoral and postdoctoral studies, they settled in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Fred joined the research staff of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and later was appointed Director of the Biology Division and adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee. In 1975, Tish opened the Oak Ridge Academy of Dance and concurrently founded the Contemporary Dance Ensemble of Oak Ridge. During subsequent years, Tish served as teacher and friend to hundreds of youth. Both enterprises continue to thrive today. Among her civic activities, she served a term as President of Monarch, The Girl’s Club Auxilliary. She also was appointed by the Governor of Tennessee to his committee for the Arts and Humanities. Subsequent to their retirements, Tish and Fred settled in Jacksonville, Florida in 2006. Tish continued to enjoy dancing through social outlets, activities sponsored by the Sweetwater Community Center and Southside Newcomers Club, relaxation at the beach, gardening, and, above all, those memorable trips to Disney World with her beloved granddaughter Gracie and other family members. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge and attended Deermeadows Baptist Church locally.

Tish will be remembered for her grace, beauty, zest for life, and unconditional love and support of family. Friends will be received at the Oaklawn Chapel on San Jose Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2015 with services to follow at 11:30 a.m.