Harriette Dickens Kent`

Mrs. Harriette Dickens Kent, age 82 of Sparta, passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at her residence following an extended illness. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Pierce Memorial United Methodist Church in Sparta, with burial to follow in the Sparta City Cemetery. Reverend Darrell McGinnis will officiate. Pallbearers will be Paul Garland, Zachary Rachels, Jeremy Rachels, Owen Bass, Duncan Elkins, and Todd Askew. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service in the church sanctuary.

Mrs. Kent was a native and lifelong resident of Sparta, the daughter of the late Harry Dickens and the late Emily Hanna Dickens. She was a 1958 graduate of Sparta High School. After high school she earned her bachelor's degree in education from Georgia State College for Woman. Mrs. Kent spent over 40 years teaching at John Hancock Academy. She enjoyed cooking and baking as well as playing the piano and listening to classic country music and would even play piano for her beloved dog Sadie to sing along. Mrs. Kent was a loving and caring mother and “Mimi” and she was always concerned for her children and grandchildren. She was big on family celebrations, especially birthdays. Faith was a big part of Mrs. Kent’s life, and she was a dedicated member of Peirce Memorial United Methodist Church, where she served as church hostess for many years. Mrs. Kent was also a member of Sparta Methodist Women and Sparta Roundtable and she always made time to get together with her friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bobby Kent.

Mrs. Kent is survived by her daughter, Jan Garland and her husband Ronny of Sparta; son, Mark Rachels and his wife Jeanne of Marietta; grandchildren, Paul Garland and his wife Melissa, Megan Bass and her husband Owen, Zachary Rachels and Jeremy Rachels; great granddaughter, Ava Bass; sister, Lynda Askew and her husband Danny of Gainesville; and her beloved dog Sadie.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Mrs. Kent’s memory to Pierce Memorial United Methodist Church, 21 Boland Street, Sparta, Georgia 31087.

Condolences may be made online at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com