Dorothy Frances (Cain) Hart

Mrs. Hart was born in Sampson County to the late Esker Lee Cain and Tinnie Merritt Cain. She was a graduate of Garland High School. After high school she attended East Carolina Teachers College where she earned a B.S. degree in Home Economics. While at East Carolina she also meet the love of her life, Gene Hart. She and Mr. Hart were married on April 12, 1952. During Mr. Hart’s time in the Marines they lived in Jacksonville, Florida, New Bern, NC and Vanceboro, NC. They returned to Garland in August of 1960 where they continued to make their home at the time of her death. Mrs. Hart began her career as an educator in Cumberland County in 1952. During her career as an educator she taught in four different school systems. The majority of her teaching was as a home economics teacher at Garland and Union High Schools. Through her teaching and example she influenced the lives of thousands of students which led to a broader influence throughout her hometown, state and nation. A strong faith in Christ guided Mrs. Hart’s daily good deeds within her community. She was tireless in her efforts to reach out to everyone, whether through her renowned cooking or her compassionate acts to anyone in need. Always active in civic affairs, she made her beloved hometown a better place to live. She was an encourager to all and never met a stranger. Mrs. Hart was baptized at Garland Baptist Church and was active throughout her life in the ministry of the church. She served for over fifty years as a Sunday School teacher to young children. She was a lifelong member of the choir and Women’s Missionary Union. There was no ministry of the church to which she did not lend her support. Next to her faith, the most important part of her life was her family. She leaves behind her beloved husband of sixty five years, Gene, and is also survived by her two children, Lynn Hart Register and her husband Tim of Garland as well as son, Gene Marshall Hart, Jr. and his wife Kimberi of Nashville, TN.  In addition to her children she leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Matthew Register and his wife Jessica, Trey Hart and his wife Eleni, Caroline Hart, Brook Jordan and her husband Josh, Brittanie Boyd and her husband Tyler and Will Ezell.  She also had two “adopted” grandchildren, Scott Cain and Brooke Cain.  Her great grandchildren, Taylor Grace, Nash and Harrison Register will also miss “Memaw.” Betty Cain Lambert of Durham is Mrs. Hart’s only living sibling having been preceded in death by four brothers Willis, Malcolm, Curtis and Earnest Cain and one sister, Sarah Cain Gibson. She leaves behind an example to be followed by the countless members of her extended family and those she embraced in love during her life.  Mrs. Hart fed, clothed , taught, mentored and shared the Love of Christ with all those she came in contact with throughout her life. She will be missed.