Deacon Morris Junior Hart, 88, departed this life Monday January 8,2024 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury, NC. He was born January 2, 1936 in Henderson NC, to the late Lillie Cheatham Hart and Lucius Hart. Morris was the last surviving of the eight children. He was educated in the Philadelphia, PA school system.

Morris resided in the Gateway Place Retirement Community in Kernersville, NC with his wife, Vermell Hart until is health declined and required more assistance. He was then moved to the NC State Veterans Home in Salisbury NC until his passing.

Morris served in the US Army from September 30, 1955 thru September 29, 1961. He was employed by Allied Tool in Philadelphia, PA and retired from the Sara Lee Company in Winston-Salem, NC. After retirement, Morris was a part time school bus driver for the WS Forsyth County School system for several years. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling, bowling and being a handy man.

Morris was a faithful member of the Christ Rescue Temple Apostolic Church. Deacon Hart as he was called, served as a dedicated Deacon of the church, a van driver of the CRT Transportation Department, a member of the Missionary Choir and a participant on the UCJA Deacons and Brotherhood choir at the annual convention.  His favorite songs were In the Garden and Precious Lord. Deacon Hart's attire, was always nicely coordinated and he sported many classy fedoras on his head.

He leaves to cherish loving memories, his devoted wife of 17 years, Mrs. Vermell Porter Hart of the home; step children, Alicia Ward of Glenside, PA; Ronnie (Brenda) Ward of Stone Mountain, GA; along with several step grandchildren; daughter-in-law; Maola Ward of Philadelphia, PA; brothers-in-law, Leland Porter (Flora) of Hackensack, NJ and James Barrow of Philadelphia, PA; s isters-in-law, Helen Porter of Winston-Salem NC; Julia Hill of Glenside PA; Virmon Arizona Hart of Philadelphia, PA, Lois Smith and Diane Thomas of Bishopville, SC; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Christ Rescue Temple Apostolic Church. The family will receive friends from 1:30pm-2:00 pm at the church Saturday. Interment will be held 10:00 am Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the  Salisbury National Cemetery.