Frances Karen Hamilton Gartland, of Marietta, Georgia, died Thursday, December 10, 2020, at her home. A private family interment will be held in Alabama. A memorial service will be at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Georgia. The Rev. David Hall will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church beginning at 10 AM. Mrs. Gartland, known to friends and family as Kay, "Hon", Momma, or Granmommie, was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 7, 1945. After graduating from Pell City High, where she was homecoming queen, a cheerleader, and voted "most athletic", she attended Howard College (Samford University) and eventually transferred to the University of Alabama where she met her husband of nearly 55 years, Patrick Michael Gartland. In school, Kay studied clothing, textiles, and related arts. In true form, her life was a rich tapestry of beauty, warmth, and discipleship. One could not know Kay without knowing that her guiding force was a fear of the Lord, nurturing His call and transferring it to her community. In addition to daily nurturing of family and friends, Kay enjoyed a 40-year teaching career, which impacted countless "scholars" through the years. She had a keen interest in the divine heritage of our great nation and believed the development of its founding principles should be the cornerstone of any education. She ultimately published her thoughts in a book titled Remembering America the Beautiful & The Un-Civil War. Kay marveled over God's creation and loved to create. She transformed a rocky patch of earth into a beautiful garden resplendent with boxwood, hydrangea, roses, and dahlia. A prolific oil painter, her landscapes, portraiture, and illustrations have graced many galleries, homes, and books. Her eye for beauty was always on display. From her meticulous fashion sense, to her warm and comfortably decorated home, where nothing pleased her more than to entertain family and friends. She would treat them to meals prepared with love and care and often had a planned topic to explore or even songs to sing. Everything Kay touched was performed with "all her might and to the Glory of God" because "only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last". Kay leaves a legacy woven rich with the warm and enduring love of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and The Honorable Hoyt Bradford Hamilton, her sister, Annette Appling, and her father and mother in law, Helen and Charles Gartland. Kay is survived by her husband: Pat Gartland; three loving children: Lavin Briggs (Christian); Tim Gartland (Emily); Katie Keel (Chad); 6 grandchildren: Chloe Keel, Campbell Kay Keel, Charlie Keel, Ford Gartland, Bea Gartland, George Gartland; sister: Lisa Chambers (Steve). Those desiring may send memorials to Midway Presbyterian Mission Fund, Midway Presbyterian Church 4635 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs, GA 30127 or midwaypca.org Online condolences may be expressed at www.mariettafuneralhome.org