Joseph “Joe” L. Hart

Joseph “Joe” L. Hart, a resident of Dothan, passed away on July 30, 2022 at his residence. He was 89 years old.

Graveside services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Anthony Cemetery in Anthony City, Florida with Danny Hart officiating.

Joe was born on June 16, 1933 in Ocala, Florida to the late Mack and Linnie Hart. He grew up in the Oak Community and attended Oak-Griner Church and Ocala schools. Joe started singing bass at age 12 with his father’s quartet, “The Mack Hart Quartet”. He attended the Stamp’s Quartet School of Music in Dallas, Texas studying voice and sight singing. Through the years, some of the quartets with which he has sung include: The Williston Harmoneers, Gospel Harmony, Sons of Harmony, The Pilgrims, The Happy Rhythm Boys, The Songsmen, and The Singing Harts of Dothan, Alabama. The Singing Harts recorded several albums in Nashville, sang in concerts and revivals and also had their own TV program in Dothan.

Joe met and married Ruth Ellen Poole in 1952 and together they had four children. Ellen passed away in 1989. His second wife, Eddie Merle Tye Smith of Donalsonville, GA passed away in 2002 after 13 years of marriage. Joe’s current wife Barbara Lee Horne of Ocala, FL have been married for 19 years and she currently resides in Orlando, FL where her daughter cares for her.

Joe was called to preach at age 30 and attended Florida Baptist Theological College at Graceville, Florida. Joe holds a BA degree in Biblical studies from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS and a MS degree in counseling and psychology from Troy State in Dothan, AL. He has served at many churches throughout his career including Pleasant Ridge Baptist, Defuniak Springs, FL, Trinity Baptist Church in Tampa, FL, Amelia Baptist in Dade City, FL, Morningside Baptist in Bainbridge, GA, Pine Forest in Bainbridge, GA, and Sardis Baptist in Abbeville, AL.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Linnie Hart, his first wife, Ruth Ellen Poole Hart, his second wife, Eddie Merle Tye Smith Hart, and by his son, Jonathan Paul Hart.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Horne Hart; his son, Joseph Daniel (Kathy) Hart; his daughters, Kathy (Louis) Tew and Patsy (Kevin) Wright; his 15 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and his sister, Leota Parker; and several nieces and nephews.

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