Samuel Preston Hart Obituary (1919 - 2014)

The Reverend Samuel Preston Hart Samuel P. Hart, 94, of Harrisonburg, died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at Sunnyside Retirement Community. Sam was born on February 26, 1919 in Richmond, VA and was the son of John Anderson and Annie Link Hart. He spent his early life on a farm near Charlottesville, VA and attended five different schools to complete high school. While farming, Sam grew fruits and vegetables, raised sheep and chickens, and kept bees. After ten years, he responded to God's call. Sam graduated from Hampden Sydney College where he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for character and service. He then graduated from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. During his ministry, Sam served ten churches in five Presbyteries in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. Upon retirement, he was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus by Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Sam loved to travel and enjoyed tent camping with his family. In retirement, he traveled in the west and visited many National Parks. He loved people and nature. Sam was an avid photographer and wonderful storyteller. He was a member of the Jamestown Lions Club for twenty years, and helped start the Jamestown Ruritan Club. On July 11, 1951, he married Katherine Willson Stokes, who survives after 62 years of marriage. Also surviving are four children, Ann Hart Gisch and husband Robert, Annandale, VA; The Rev. Garland Stokes Hart, Summerton, SC; Sallie Hart Yaskin, Las Vegas, NV; and Margaret Hart Lightfoot, Monroe, GA; and eight grandchildren, Preston and Andrew Gisch, Jonathan Hart, Jay and Peter Yaskin, Christopher and Whitney Lightfoot, and Bethany Lightfoot Klimek and husband Gary. Paul O'Gorek, Reverend John Leggett, and Reverend Ann Pettit will conduct a memorial service on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunnyside Retirement Community in the Meredith Chapel. Interment will be held Tuesday at Kenbridge Heights Cemetery in Kenbridge, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunnyside Fellowship Fund, in memory of Sam Hart, 600 University Blvd., Suite L, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com. :