Jo Ann Hartman

Jo Ann Hartman, 82, of Valdosta died Wednesday, December 7, 2016 in Atlanta with her family by her side.
Jo Ann was born June 29, 1934 in Lake Park, Georgia to Rena Lavirl Zipperer Hall and James Everett "Red" Hall.
Jo Ann was a lifelong public servant having served her community, her students, her church and professional organizations. Jo Ann proved her greatest devotion was to her two sons, James Eugene Hartman and Victor Everett Hartman.
Her many accolades included Valdosta Woman of Achievement in 1980, Valdosta Woman of the Year in 1981, Valdosta Daily Times Unsung Heroine of the Year in 1995, and she was listed in Personalities of the South.
Jo Ann was elected to serve on Valdosta's City Council from 1982 to 1986. She was active in the community having served on the Boards of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission, Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes, Valdosta Boys and Girls Club, and the Salvation Army. She was also active in Phi Delta Kappa, National Education Association, Georgia Association of Education, Lowndes County Association of Educators, International Reading Association, Wymodausis Woman's Club, Valdosta Civic Roundtable, Valdosta Touchdown Club, the Lowndes County Community Action Committee, United Way and Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. She founded the local Widow's Network in 1983. Due to her work with the National Symphony in Washington D.C., she was the guest of Jacqueline Kennedy for several visits to the White House.
Jo Ann was a lifetime student and teacher. She received her undergraduate degree, master's degree and education specialist's degree from Valdosta State University, and later taught there as an adjunct professor. She began her teaching career in Lake Park and shortly thereafter moved to Savannah. While in Savannah, she met her military husband, Eugene Winfield Hartman, and taught at other locations during military moves. She was teaching at Hahira Middle School where she was selected Teacher of the Year, and went on from South Georgia to be selected as a runner-up to Georgia's Teacher of the Year. She served in elective positions of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Georgia teacher's organizations. She led the AAUW at a time when it organized the first Valdosta Political Forum for area candidates running for public office.
Jo Ann was active at Northside Baptist where she taught kindergarten and served in various leadership capacities.
Upon the death of her husband, Maj. Eugene Hartman, killed in action, Vietnam, she move from the suburbs of Washington DC to Valdosta where she raised her two sons.
She is survived by her children James and Victor Hartman, daughters-in-law Marisa Hartman, Jonna Parnell Hartman; family Laura Taylor Romero, her husband Gabriel Romero; granddaughter Nicole Ann Davison, her husband Eric and son Aiden James Davison, and grandson Ryan Thomas Hartman; siblings Sherman Benjamin Hall, wife Madelyn Hall, James Ludy Hall (deceased), wife Carolyn Guest Hall, Verlon Lowell Hall, wife Judy Wells Hall, Margery Marie Stephens, husband Elwood Stephens (deceased) and Wonda Faye Arnold, husband Charles Arnold (deceased).
A visitation service will be held at Carson McLane Funeral Home on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Attendees are invited to a celebration of Jo Ann's life at Park Place following the service. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Alzheimer's Association. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602