Gatra Mathews Mallard

Gatra Reid (Mathews) Mallard, 90, passed away peacefully on May 21. A true steel magnolia, Gatra was a focused leader, a vocal advocate for issues of justice, and a gracious woman who loved deeply. She spent her final weeks in hospice care on her own terms - visiting with loved ones, sharing memories, expressing love, and saying tender goodbyes.

Born in 1935 in Andalusia, AL, Gatra stood out early as a gifted athlete, excellent student, and church pianist. Raised with a commitment to strong family ties, education, and the small-town ethic that everyone is welcome, she earned a BA from Huntington College in Birmingham, AL and an MA in Christian Education from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA. Her degree from Candler was a milestone, but arguably, no less significant was a new Candler acquaintance, one of her professors, the Rev. Dr. Bill Mallard. After working for a year in Birmingham, Gatra returned to Atlanta to work with the youth ministries of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, where (some might say, by chance) she was reunited with her former acquaintance, Bill Mallard. There they began their courtship, followed by their marriage in 1961.

Gatra and Bill joined Glenn Memorial UMC and settled near Emory where Gatra anchored their home and family life. Loyal to her upbringing, she ran their home with an open-door policy to any number of seminary students, gaggles of the children's unannounced friends, an occasional stray animal, and holiday meals that accommodated many students, friends, and even friends of friends who were unable to return home for the holiday. The annual Mallard Christmas Sing became the stuff of legend, welcoming all beyond capacity.

Though raising her three children was always central to her life, a passion for all children would soon transcend Gatra’s role as a mother. In 1971, she was hired as Director of the Glenn School for Young Children. In 1985, while serving as director, she returned to graduate school to earn an MA in Community Counseling and transitioned to become the school’s first staff counselor. In that role, she honed her focus on the promotion of healthy childhood development and the importance of effective parenting. Under her leadership and that of the Children and Family Ministries of Glenn Memorial, the Glenn School would become a model for play-based learning, the engaged parent community, and promoting effective parenting techniques. The parenting classes Gatra taught for over two decades still give rise to many personal anecdotes touting the vital role those classes played in the lives of parents.

Gatra retired in 1999 to sit for her first grandchild but not to a quieter life. She became a steadfast voice for racial justice, gender equality, conservation, and LGBTQI+ inclusion, playing an integral role in leading Glenn Memorial to becoming a Reconciling Congregation. After moving to Clairmont Place Independent Living, she served as Chair of the Board for two and a half years, remained outspoken on issues of justice, spearheaded the installation of art on all resident halls, championed many other community improvements and fund raising efforts, and true to her upbringing, always went out of her way to welcome new residents to the community. In 2022, Gatra received a Profiles in Positive Aging award presented by LeadingAge of Georgia.

Gatra is survived by her daughter Winn, son Reid and daughter-in-law Alison, daughter-in-law Karen, chosen son Michael, five grandchildren Charlie, Chapman, Bo, Edison, and Elena, nieces Norma and Linda, and nephews Phillip and Michael. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Rob, siblings Bob and Lucy Deil, nephew David, and niece Jules. A memorial service will be held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 6, at 11:00am with live streaming options available on the church’s Facebook and YouTube pages. A graveside service and burial will be held on Friday, June 5, at 11:00am at Westview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to the Gatra Mallard Memorial Fund of the Glenn School for Young Children; or the Bill Mallard Lay Theological Institute of the Candler School of Theology (give to the “Candler Foundry,” note: in memory of Gatra Mallard); or the Montclair Balcony Fund at Clairmont Place (mail checks to Clairmont Place Independent Living, Attn: Allison Rutland, memo: Montclair Balcony Fund.)