James "Larry" Hart

Mr. James Larry Hart, 89, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 at Trinity Elms. Larry was born April 2, 1933, at his home in Clemmons, to the late James Clinton and Pauline Brewer Hart.  He graduated from Clemmons High School in 1951. Larry served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan for several months in 1953. After being honorably discharged in 1955, he graduated from Appalachian State University with a B. A. in Education/Teaching.  He taught 6th grade in Florida and then returned home to teach 6th grade in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System at Old Richmond Elementary School.  One of his students invited him to dinner at their home and introduced him to their cousin, Bernice Ballew, who was visiting for a week.  She lived in Gastonia.  They saw each other each evening for the week while she was visiting.  Before she went back to Gastonia, Larry asked her to marry him.  They married December 23, 1961 and were happily married for more than 60 years.  During the summer months, Larry drove a truck for McLean Trucking Company and Roadway Express.  He eventually transitioned from teaching and joined his father as a locksmith for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System.  He retired after 30 years with the school system.  Larry was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.  He enjoyed the gardening of vegetables, fruits, and flowers.  He was especially fond of planting apple trees and had over 17 different varieties. One of our fondest memories was our summer vacations.  He would plan a two week vacation each summer to a different state, and we would see and do as much of the state as possible in those two weeks.  It was always a surprise destination, as we never knew where we were going until we were almost there.  He always took the “brown” roads on the map as much as possible.  He wasn’t a big fan of the interstates. You missed a lot by taking the interstates.  We always had our picture made at the brown road signs along the way.  It was always a learning vacation with lots of fun for us all.  Larry was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Gray Hart.  He is survived by his wife, Bernice; his two daughters, Paula Gray Martin and spouse Jeff, and Carrie Britt Brinkley and spouse Mike; grandchildren, Alicia White (Jake), Caitlyn Berrier and Christina Brinkley; step-grandson, Nick Martin (Brandy); great-grandchildren, Clay, Lily, Adyson, and Maddox; step-great-grandson, Briggs, and several nieces and nephews.  A memorial service will be conducted at 12:00 PM Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, with Pastor Ron Schuyler officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brenner Children’s Hospital, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC  27157. https://www.wakehealth.edu/about-us/about-brenner-childrens/support-brenner