Donald S. Hart

Donald was born in Staunton on January 2, 1951, to the late Laura Catherine (Hart) Redman and Clarence Bryant. 

Life wasn't always easy for Donnie, and finding out what he wanted to do in life was also a challenge, but after witnessing his uncle, Melvin Hart, dressed in his Naval uniform, Donald was inspired and decided to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He bravely served and was honorably discharged.

In his civilian life, Mr. Hart enjoyed going to church and serving as a Deacon at Smokey Row Baptist Church in Staunton.

He had a love of watching sports and supporting his teams - the New York Yankees, Indianapolis Colts, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did he enjoy watching them, he enjoyed calling up friends and families whose teams were playing his and talking smack if their team lost. 

Relationships were very important to him. He was always the first to start the day with phoning someone and ending the day in the same way. Donald never met a stranger and if something he saw in you interested him, he was going to talk to you and he will be remembered for it.

Donald also loved hanging out with his family. His wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved him dearly and he would take the time to talk, dance, sing, offer advice (solicited and unsolicited) and just enjoyed having "The Hart Foundation" - as he called them - in his presence.

Donald, also known as "Donnie", "Buddha", "Mr. Hart", "Pop", and "Grandpa Donnie", will be remembered as an advocate for justice, a man dedicated to service, a friend, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 

Donnie is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Deborah (Toye) Hart; his son, Seneca Hart; his daughters, Yolanda Toye and Roberto Guerrero, Ashley (Hart) White and Clive White, and Zuri (Hart) Shoffner & Matthew Shoffner; his brothers, James William Wayts, Jr., Charles Jay Wayts and Cynthia Wayts, and David and Barbara Bryant; his sisters, Faith Roberta Wayts-Hardy and Ruby and Dale Smith; his grandchildren, Seja (Hart) Varnum and Tyler, Quinton Guerrero, Mariano Guerrero, Kenzo Shoffner, Kali Hart, C'Geo White, Aria Shoffner, Phoenix White, and Violet Hart; his great-grandchildren, Leo and Luna Varnum; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Mason Wayts; his grandmother, Ada Hart; his uncle, Garland Hart; and James William Wayts. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton. A Celebration of Life will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Henry Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Staunton.