Patricia Ingram Hart, a devoted mother, wife, philanthropist and friend, passed away peacefully at home on August 13, 2022, surrounded by her beloved family. Patricia was born in Nashville on December 7, 1935, to the late civic leader Hortense Bigelow Ingram and Orrin Henry Ingram, a renowned business leader. She was preceded in death by her sister, Alice Ingram Hooker (Henry Hooker) and her brothers, Erskine Bronson Ingram II and Frederic (Fritz) Bigelow Ingram. Patricia is survived by her husband of sixty-four years, H. Rodes Hart; and sister-in-law, Martha Rivers Ingram; her children, Henry Rodes Hart, Jr. (Page); Patti Rodes Hart Smallwood (Brian) of Nashville; Kevin Ingram Hart (Polly Dix) of White Bear Lake, MN; her grandchildren, Christina Brian (Blake), Tommy Hart (Mallory), Caroline Cubillo (Chino), Callie Mulloy (Mark), Battle Kenney, Ethan Smallwood, Griffin Smallwood of Nashville; Connor Hart, Kendall Sampson (Crosby), Duncan Hart of White Bear Lake, MN; her great-grandchildren, Rodes Brian, Brandon Brian, Dillon Brian, Annie Hart, Gabe Cubillo, Charlie Mulloy, Mac Mulloy, and by many beloved nieces and nephews. Patricia attended Parmer School and Ward-Belmont, and graduated from St. Timothy's School in Baltimore, Maryland.
She earned a bachelor's degree in English at Vanderbilt University. In 1958, she married H. Rodes Hart, a businessman with Franklin Brick Company, a company he would grow into one of the largest suppliers of industrial and agricultural minerals in the country. They purchased land nearly 60 years ago and developed a beautiful farm – Pattibrook Farm – in Williamson County. Over time, they became parents of three children, Rodes, Kevin and Patti, and were leaders in the civic, business, education, and volunteer realms of Nashville. Patricia was a beloved agent for good in the community, beginning her service with the Junior League Home for Crippled Children, and staying loyal when it moved to Vanderbilt Hospital. She also served two decades on the board of The West End Home for Ladies, co-founded by her mother. After raising her children, Patricia served in leadership capacities at Fifty Forward, STARS, United Way, and Bridges; and, together with Rodes, was a founding member of the de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. In the 1980s, Patricia’s passion for antique porcelain led to her opening a shop on Highway 100, Hart-Adams Antiques. She loved learning the origins of the porcelain she collected, travelling the world to various shows, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her friends and customers, and being surrounded by lovely pieces of art.
Patricia was one of the most natural, giving, funny, direct, and unassuming women many had ever known. She did not wear her privileged childhood and fortunate life on her sleeve. She loved her blue jeans, riding horses, playing golf, exotic travels, keeping up with her children and grandchildren, collecting porcelain, playing with her dogs, doing good works quietly, laughing with friends, having a whiskey sour, and being grateful for her family, life, and country. She was incredibly generous, not only with her family, but with churches, schools, hospitals, the underprivileged, her friends and all the people in her home and on the farm who made her life so glorious. Status and station did not matter to Patricia. She always championed the underdog and those less fortunate; those with whom she worked adored her for this. When tough times arose, as they always do, she met them with her usual practical yet compassionate self. Nothing was too much for Patricia to overcome. The family would like to thank her incredible caregivers, Bryan Branton, Monica Doumas, Ashley King, Doreen Sanchez, Jewel Veals and Brenda Weatherby for their loving care, as well as Dr. Robert Miller at Vanderbilt Medical Center and Tana Hertz of Alive Hospice. Pallbearers include Patricia’s grandsons, Connor Hart, Duncan Hart, Tommy Hart, Battle Kenney, Ethan Smallwood and Griffin Smallwood.
A family funeral and graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 18, in the Stanford Chapel at First Presbyterian Church and at Mount Olivet Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Patricia from 3:30pm – 5:30pm at Belle Meade Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fifty Forward, STARS or the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mountolivet.com for the Hart family.
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