MEMPHIS — Former Tennessee state Representative G.A. Hardaway Sr. died on April 24, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at age 71 following a brief illness. The state has scheduled a lie in state at the Tennessee State Capitol, a celebration of life service in Memphis, and burial at Elmwood Cemetery.

Hardaway died at approximately 5:22 a.m. He had represented District 93 in the Tennessee House of Representatives for 19 years and held the seat until his death.

Hardaway will lie in state at the Tennessee State Capitol, located at 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Nashville, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A public viewing will be held in Memphis on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd., followed by a celebration of life service at the same location starting at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis immediately following the service.

Hardaway's family announced the homegoing arrangements following his death. Funeral arrangements are being handled by E.H. Ford Mortuary in Memphis, where the family said cards, flowers and acknowledgements can be sent.

Hardaway was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in a March 2007 special election for District 92, defeating incumbent Democratic Representative Mike Kernell. The district was renumbered to District 93 in January 2013. He served as chair of the Shelby County Legislative Democratic Caucus and as chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Hardaway earned a bachelor of science degree from DePaul University. He was active in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the NAACP and the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, and served as political director of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

"Maria Lee and I are deeply saddened by the death of Representative GA Hardaway, a friend and dedicated public servant who faithfully represented Memphis in the General Assembly for nearly 20 years. We pray God's comfort & blessing over his family & loved ones during this time." Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said.

House Minority Leader Karen Camper said: "G.A. had a way about him that you cannot teach. He was strong but gentle, firm in his convictions yet kind in his spirit. He carried the weight of this work with grace, and he never forgot where he came from or whom he was sent here to serve."

State Senator Raumesh Akbari said: "Hardaway drew inspiration from the men and women who fought for civil rights and equality before him. He was not afraid to speak hard truths to power."