Virginia Nell Hardison

Virginia Nell "Ginnie" Hardison died at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on November 16th, 2025 at 61 years old. Ginnie was born March 3rd, 1964 at the same hospital to Dr. Joseph Ellsworth Hardison and Rebecca Nell "Becky" (Hatcher) Hardison. Ginnie grew up in Atlanta surrounded by family, including her younger sisters Cindy and Kim. Throughout her childhood Ginnie danced with the Atlanta Ballet - a highlight was performing in the Nutcracker every year at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Ginnie also rode her horse, Cheyenne, through the streets of Tucker, and because she was one to always do things her own way, she once rode him through the McDonald's drive-thru. She graduated from Henderson High School (now Henderson Middle) in 1982, received her associates degree from Emory Oxford in 1984, and her bachelor's degree in political science from Emory University in 1986. She began working for Emory University School of Medicine shortly after graduating and spent most of her career there in various administrative roles.

In 1993, Ginnie married David Travis McQuaig, and the couple welcomed three children: Ellie, Augie, and David Jr. The three McQuaig siblings inherited their freckles from their mother as well as their love of good meals, good books, and good naps. Although Ginnie and Dave would ultimately divorce in 2007, Ginnie was always grateful that this relationship gave her her three children.

Ginnie struggled deeply with an addiction to alcohol which ultimately caused her untimely death. Despite her struggle with addiction, she had great skill in caring for others. When COVID-19 vaccines first became available, Ginnie was employed as a pharmacy tech at Briarcliff Pharmacy and worked to schedule vaccinations for as many people in her community as she could, especially those who were at high risk for infection. Ginnie was a caregiver to her mother during Becky's final years of life, and Ginnie always showed up for her children.

Ginnie was preceded in death by her mother, Becky. She is survived by her father, Dr. Joe Hardison, her sisters, Cindy and Kim Hardison (Mark Ahlfinger), and her three children Ellie, Augie, and David McQuaig. She is also survived by many beloved cousins and friends, and a loving community larger than she was ever truly able to grasp.

A celebration of Ginnie's life will be held in the sanctuary at Glenn Memorial UMC in Atlanta on Saturday, November 29th, 2025 at 11am with a reception to follow in the Ward Fellowship Hall. The service will be livestreamed on Glenn Memorial UMC's YouTube and Facebook pages.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ginnie's memory to MARR, "a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing lasting recovery to individuals and families impacted by the disease of addiction and substance use." Additionally, join the team "In Memory of Ginnie Hardison" in the American Red Cross Blood Donor App to donate blood in memory of Ginnie.