Robert Harts, Jr., blessed with earthly life on July 23, 1924, is the 3rd of
four children born to the late Robert
Harts, Sr. and Hattie Friday Harts.
“Bob,” as he is affectionately called, was faithfully married to the
late Willie Mae Ginyard Harts
for over 48 years until her heavenly transition in 1994. To their union, 12 children were born. Because of God’s divine wisdom, three of Bob’s
children are now amongst His host of angels: Robert Sylvester Harts – the 7th child (1975);
Herman Fritzgerald Harts – the baby
boy (1999); and, Toni Elaine Harts –
the baby girl (2012). Despite the pain
of such significant and tragic losses, Bob never questioned God’s plan. His faith remains as strong as ever because
he knows they will all meet again.
As a young boy with a fifth grade
education, Bob learned a lot about hard work at an early age. His career began in the pulpwood
industry. As times got better, he accepted
a position with Richtex Brick Company where he worked for over 28 years as both
a Fireman and Truck Driver. Thereafter,
he worked for Estes Trucking Company and ultimately retired in 1993 after
nearly 15 years. Bob labored tirelessly to
make certain his family’s needs were met.
With a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs, he raised a big
garden every year and tended to chickens and hogs to keep food on the table. He didn’t just do this for his family, but
shared his abundance with other family members and neighbors. There were many days when the sacrifices Bob
made for his family were evident by either the wire used to keep his shoes intact
or his extended shift-work of 24 hours or more.
Hours of affection and happiness were
shared in the Harts’ home; yet, an equal portion of discipline was served daily. Both the children and grandchildren of Bob
and Willie Mae are all too familiar with the application of Proverbs 13:24,
which teaches “He who spares his rod hates his son; But he who loves him
disciplines him promptly.” Bob would
always advise his children that one of them would soon have a “hot bottom,”
especially since Willie Mae regularly delivered the heat!
A devoted member of Mt. Moriah
Baptist Church in Jenkinsville, South Carolina, Bob has displayed his love for
God and respect for His word in numerous ways.
He served compassionately as a Deacon regularly visiting and praying for
all of God’s children, whether they were his friend, a stranger, or a foe, and
despite them being near or far. He
demonstrated responsible care of financial assets as the Church Treasurer. He labored diligently as a Sexton cleaning
the sanctuary on a weekly basis. And for
many years, he lovingly maintained the church grounds and cemetery with
assistance from his sons.
Whether you are inside or on the
property around his house, you can regularly hear Bob singing or humming a hymn
that acknowledges the bountiful blessings he’s received from God. Because of his relationship with “The
Master,” many have witnessed his nuggets of wisdom spoken to us over the
years. He says that besides our praise,
we can give God but three things – our Tithes, our Talent, and our Time. Also, he has reminded his family and friends
to treat your fellow sisters and brothers right in God’s sight and in the
manner that He wants you to. “Otherwise,
He don’t need anything from us because He’s already got what He needs.”
Bob retired from Estes Trucking
Company, not because of age or health, but to ensure the best care for the love
of his life during her illness and final days.
After she passed, he told his church family that although he had lost
his wife, he still had six more. His
daughters were going to try and boss him around and make sure he was alright.
Bob is an honest man with much
integrity. His wisdom exceeds that of
any formally educated PhD – in ALL
disciplines. Never without an opinion
and fearless when he shares it with others, Bob has always been a man with much
conviction who stands by his beliefs despite the status quo. If he feels something or someone is wrong,
and there’s no changing his mind. He may
not like the results of a decision, and you can count on him letting you know
both his position and that he wants no part of it. Bob raised his children with that same
philosophy, continually reminding them that (1) two wrongs will never make a
right and (2) there are only two ways to live in this world: the right way or
the wrong way – the choice is yours to make and the consequences are yours to
deal with!
With all of his faith and trust in God, today Bob is blessed to have the
following children celebrating this significant milestone in his life: Barbara
Jean Harts-Brown, Ruth Evelyn (Robert) Pinkney, Shirley Williams, Gwendolyn
Etheredge, Diane (Jesse) McClurkin, James Raymond (Cheryl) Harts, Wayne Cedric
(Vivian) Harts, Larry Donnell (Faye) Harts, and Fredrick Dwight (Valarie)
Harts. Rounding out three generations of
Bob’s lineage are grandchildren born of and blessed into the family along with
their children, “the great-grands,” all of which honor and respect our
patriarch.
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