By Gail H. Marshall
Guest Contributor
LEXINGTON – Nearly 300 family, friends, public officials and community members attended the celebration of life for Sarah Kimbrough Hart, Tuesday, May 13, 11 a.m. It was held at Saints Academy’s Holy Hill. Affectionately known as “Ms. Sarah,” the Lexington native died May 9, her birthday. She was 92.
“Sarah Kimbrough Hart will be truly missed,” said U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson in an emailed statement Tuesday evening. “Her virtuous character exemplifies Proverbs 31:10 – ‘Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.’” “She was a tireless worker in the community,” he stated.
During the 1960’s black voter registration efforts, she, her husband and several others went to the Courthouse to register. She told The Mississippi Link in a 2008 Black History report that the registrar asked them idiotic questions such as “How many bubbles are there in a bar of soap? How many strains of hair are on a person’s head?”
The Harts kept returning until they gained their right to vote. The Harts and others marched and protested injustice and were also instrumental in funding a medical clinic, bringing in the first black doctor to the county.
June 5, 2013, Thompson recognized “Ms. Sarah’s” services as part of the 113th Congress, 1st Session, Volume 159, No. 78 of the Congressional Record in Washington, D.C., describing her as a “remarkable public servant.”
Her grandson Rashad Hart of Texas, who presided over her memorial service, stated that his grandmother was indeed a strong lady, spiritually and physically. “She had great strength for a woman her size,” he said. “Just try sneaking a nap in church and you [would] find out how strong her elbows were,” (sparking laughter).
In church, she served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and church announcer/greeter. “Mrs. Hart was among the sweetest people I’ve ever known,” said her pastor Bishop Raymon Carter of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington. “She always gave me words of encouragement….
“My prayers will continually go forth for her family. She will truly be missed from our church and community. He also said they will miss her singing and “pound cakes packed with love.” She was also known for her teacakes.
Her signature gospel songs were “One Day at a Time” and “Sign Me Up for the Christian Jubilee.”
Although “Ms. Sarah” came from humble beginnings, she took pride in carrying herself as a lady. The house she grew up in still stands. “She was the matriarch of the Hart Family, and she was going to dress appropriately,” said Rashad Hart.
Her nephew-in-law Pastor James Washington Sr. of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church of Jackson stated: “I say to every young lady that is here today that you pray that God will bless you to be a Sarah Hart.”
She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that her home is “a museum” of their educational and professional achievements.
She is survived by her children – Daniel (Joyce) of Madison, Miss.; Cleveland, James (Earlene) and John (Princella) all of Lexington, Miss.; Larry of Richton Park, Ill.; Raymond (Katherine) of Russellville, Ky.; Chester (Anetria) of Poplarville, Miss.; and Gloria of Desoto, Texas; daughter-in-law Carmela Hart (wife of the late Rodalton) Lexington; 23 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
