Georgia McKenzie Hildreth, 94, died peacefully at Laurel Crest Retirement Community on May 17, 2021. Born October 15, 1926 in Richwood, West Virginia to Annie Louise Carey McKenzie and George Thomas McKenzie, she was the youngest of nine children.

After completing school with stellar grades, Georgia's career and personal life took her from West Virginia to Maryland, Georgia, and the Washington, D.C. area, where she lived for over 40 years before moving to South Carolina. After a brief career in private industry and several years as a stay-at-home mother for Ron, whom she often referred to as her "perfect son", Georgia began work for the federal government, where she advanced through the ranks and retired after 30 years of service in 1982.

Following retirement, Georgia spent time with family, pursued numerous hobbies, and volunteered in the community and in her church. She loved to dance and spent many evenings square and round dancing with friends. Her skill as a bridge player allowed her to connect regularly with those in the communities where she lived and helped her make new friends after her move to South Carolina several years ago. Her love of travel took her around the world; she religiously sent postcards and collected stamps for granddaughter Amy. In her 80s, she drove all the way across the United States on a road trip with her dear friend, Naida Chevrier. She gave of her time freely and was a caregiver for many family members and friends. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and for her local hospice agency until her recent move to South Carolina. Georgia was a dedicated member of Bush Hill Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia and served on many committees within the church. More recently, she served as President of the Laurel Crest Retirement Community Resident Council.

Georgia was caring, loyal, vibrant, strong-willed, and adventurous. She spoke her mind with conviction even when it contradicted popular opinion. She made friends of all ages easily, and she often filled the room with laughter. She loved to sit by the ocean, to prepare favorite recipes like her famous mashed potatoes for family, to joke with her friends, and to read to great-grandsons Simon and Max.

Georgia is survived by son, Ron Hildreth and daughter-in-law Amy Herin of Columbia, SC, granddaughter Amy Hildreth and husband Herbert Krabel, great-grandsons Simon and Max Krabel, and former daughter-in-law Cheryl Hildreth. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Verna McClure, Ruby Cottrill, Myrtle Woodring, Daniel McKenzie, Rhoda Kilpatrick, Norvel McKenzie, Nora Mae Alt, and Melvin McKenzie.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia on Saturday, May 22 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.