Nancy Hillis

Nancy Lee Hillis (March 19, 1948 – August 9, 2016) was an American musician. She came to prominence after her appearance as one of the main characters in John Berendt's 1994 true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Early life Hillis was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1948. She was raised by her grandparents. the love interest of Joe Odom; however, Hillis stated that there was no romantic relationship between her and Odom, who was "not strictly heterosexual." They performed music together only and owned a bar, Sweet Georgia Brown's, in Savannah's City Market.

In 1991, Hillis purchased the Hamilton–Turner Inn in Savannah's Lafayette Square.

Mandy Nicholls was portrayed by Alison Eastwood in her father's 1997 movie adaptation.

Book In 2015, Hillis released her biography, Nancy Hillis: The Vamp of Savannah, named after the song "Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)."

Death Hillis died at Savannah's Candler Hospital in 2016, aged 68, after a five-year battle with ALS.