Nancy Hiatt

Nancy Joiner Hiatt died peacefully August 13, 2025, at home surrounded by family.

Nancy was born on July 21, 1947, in Macon, GA to parents Dorothy Wynn Joiner and John Gordon Joiner, Jr. She graduated from A.L. Miller High School, attended Converse College for 2 years, before transferring to UGA and solidifying her lifelong love of being a committed Georgia Bulldawg fan. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, becoming a Vice President by her senior year. Her connection with Theta remained strong over the years with her sister, niece and daughters all continuing her path as Thetas at UGA. In her later years, she was a Theta alumni advisor for yet another generation, nurturing and helping to develop a multitude of young women. She loved all her girls and had a wide definition of who belonged to her family, mothering all whom she could.

After graduating from UGA and moving to Atlanta, Nancy worked as a school coordinator for Southern Bell teaching proper phone etiquette in the schools. Shortly after moving to Atlanta, she was set up on a blind date and met her wonderful husband, Joe. Together, they had three daughters for whom she devoted her life to raising. Through the girl's activities, she took an active leadership role volunteering at all the girls' schools, dance, and sports activities and in the process, made many lifelong friends. Nancy's life centered around creating an environment of love and support for Joe and her precious daughters and then her adored grandchildren. She reveled in her grandchildren's accomplishments and sports activities. She and Joe attended innumerable baseball, football, basketball, and soccer games, as well as cheer, dance recitals and any school events and award ceremonies.

Nancy gathered friends on all paths of her journey and kept them for life. She had an incredible gift to make everyone feel special. Nancy was well known for her thoughtful gestures including the cards she sent to the many people in her huge village throughout the years. Her thoughtfulness had no boundaries, and her calendar was full of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays as well as other important days of joy or sorrow in her friends' lives. She touched so many people with her thoughtfulness throughout the years.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Joseph Spurgeon Hiatt, III, her sister, Lynn Joiner Lane, Mary Malcolm, and her lifelong best friend, Carol Hatfield; her daughters Catherine Martin (Jason), Dorothy Luyendyk (Kevin), Carol Smith Wortham (Brian). Her adored grandchildren Preston, Harrison, Thompson, Ella Cate, Elizabeth, Patrick, Andrew, and Mason as well as her bonus grandchildren, Max and Alexandra. Her niece and namesake, Nancy Marie Douglas (Dave), and her beloved nephew Michael Lane (Deb) as well as her grand nieces and nephews, Caroline, Gabriel, Brooklyn, David, and Hannah. Nancy is also survived by Joan Hiatt, niece, Jennifer Gay, nephew, Joey Hiatt and their families. She also had numerous cousins as well as countless friends who she maintained friendships with across time and distance.

In her last days, her family was so touched by the many visits, cards, messages, meals and acts of kindness and love bestowed on Nancy and her family.

A celebration of life service will be held for Nancy Hiatt at Dunwoody Methodist Church, 1548 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody at 12 noon on Saturday, September 6, 2025. It is game day, so feel free to wear your red and black to celebrate the life of this lovely Bulldawg. A reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations go to either of Nancy and Joe's favorite local nonprofit charities serving children and families: Community Assistance Center (ourcac.org) or Giving Grace (remerge-bloom.kindful.com).