John Hart, Sr.

Mr. John Hart, Sr., 88, passed away on August 14, 2023, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC.

The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:00 am at Greater Morning Star Apostolic Holiness Church, 705 South Sycamore Street, Fremont, NC.

A visitation will also be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 10:00 am until 10:45 am prior to the funeral service at the church.

John Hart, Sr. was born on November 2, 1934, in Orangeburg, SC, to the late Robert E. Hart and Evangeline (Carmichael) Hart. His family relocated to Wilson, NC in the late 1940s, where he first met his late wife, Dellar Catherine (Melton) Hart.

John attended Wilson County Public Schools. In his late teens, John joined the United States Army to work as a Mason. After receiving an honorary discharge from the Army, he honed his masonry craft and assumed several skilled roles related to constructing new skyscrapers in New York City, NY.

He became an indispensable construction contractor for the state of New York, earning his place as a member of the esteemed Laborers' Local 754 union of Chestnut Ridge, NY. His membership remained in effect until his passing. Throughout his career, he was a popular General Contractor in NY, NJ, CT, NC, and SC.

John married Dellar Catherine in 1960. The couple relocated from NYC to a Teaneck, NJ neighborhood, where they purchased a larger family home as they expanded their family. Together they had six children.

While working as a self-employed General Contractor, he owned and operated Hart's Produce store in NYC from 1974 to 1978. He was known for his generosity, often helping those in need by gifting friends and family with fresh produce. In 1978, the Hart family moved to Mt. Olive, NC, where he built a dream home for them.

When not volunteering countless hours to build and remodel houses and churches, John continued his work as a General Contractor. In later years, he and his wife opened and ran Mt. Olive's first dollar store – Hart's Dollar Store. Even during the store's operation, he continued contracting until retiring years after its closure. John had unwavering faith in God and cherished his church families, attending both Ebenezer Apostolic Holiness Church and Evangelical Fellowship Center of Mt. Olive.

He was a loving and giving father and friend to many. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his wife, Dellar Catherine Hart; his daughter, Wanda James; and his son, James Melton.

John leaves to cherish his memories: one son, John Hart Jr. (Teresa) of Mt. Olive, NC; three daughters, Deborah Hart of Columbia, South Carolina, Cathy Hart and Wendy Montague both of Raleigh, NC; ten grandchildren, Kevin Carter, Devin Carter, Schwanda James, Morteames James, Willie James, Jonathan Hart, Joseph Montague, Christopher Hart-Williams, Crystal Hart-Williams, and Jontavious Hart; ten great-grandchildren, Kristofer Carter, Eston Carter, Noah Carter, Ki’asia Carter, Prince Carter, Arrirlle Curtis, Braylin James, Tyshad Adams, Aliyah Hart, and Emme Pine one brother, Burley Hart of Charlotte, NC; four sisters-in-law, Mary Melton of Goldsboro, NC, Jean Melton of Oxon Hill, MD, Jean Monroe and Effie Saunders, both of Wilmington, NC; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Arrangements are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.

 Condolences may be posted to www.stevensfamilyfuneralhome.com or faxed to 252-991-5849.

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