Rex Clay Hart – Obituary

Rex Clay Hart, 82, of Florence passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Central Heights. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brad Adcock officiating. The burial will follow at noon at Neill Cemetery, Savannah, Tennessee.

Rex, a native of Memphis, TN, was a veteran of the U.S. Army and received a degree in education from Memphis State. He began his career in education at Oak Haven High School in Memphis. There he taught architectural drawing and coached baseball for 10 years. In 1969 he moved to Orlando, FL, where he was a teacher for 1 year. In 1970 he began his career in school administration by serving as an assistant principal, principal, and vocational assistant director. In 1999 he retired from education but always told stories of his educational career.

While living in Florida, Rex attended Concord Street Church of Christ where he served as a teacher and educational director. Later he attended Ocoee Church of Christ and Plymouth Church of Christ. He served as a teacher and elder at both congregations. Upon moving to Florence, AL, he was a member of Stony Point Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mabel Claire Hart and brothers, Burks, Jerry, and Jack Hart.

Rex is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Teresa Neill Hart; children, S. Louise Hart Phanstiel (Howard), Laurie L. Hart-Sapp (John), and Tyler Clay Hart (Tricia); sisters, Virginia Henderson, Nell Olson, Jane Dacus, Mildred Parks, Peggy Rea Hertel, and Kay Harty; grandson, Jackson Clay Hart and those he considered as grandchildren, Thomas, Madison, and Ethan Toombs; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

Pallbearers are Tyler Hart, Dwight Brown, Brandon Bruce, John Slaton, Tim Davis, and Tommy Toombs. Honorary pallbearers are Jackson Clay Hart and Thomas Toombs.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Central Florida Bible Camp.