Lucius Edward Hart, 82, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord on September 4, 2026, at his home in Maryville, Tennessee, after a three-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease.

Ed’s legacy is defined by his faith, love, patience, kindness, and service to others. He was very compassionate, dependable, and a man of principle and integrity. Ed possessed the rare ability to truly understand the weight of words. He was never one to criticise or to speak in haste or in anger, but he thoughtfully considered every word before he spoke.

Ed and his wife, Jane, enjoyed 19 years of marriage filled with love, respect and many shared interests; music, theatre, travel, football, motorcycles and BBQ. However, time spent with family and friends was their most enjoyable pastime. They are blessed to be members of Church of the Redeemer, Alcoa, Tennessee, where they enjoy worshiping with a loving church family.

Ed was a graduate of Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was employed for a number of years at the Dupont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. After leaving Dupont, he began his career in higher education at Carson-Newman; joining the faculty of the Business Department where he taught Computer Information classes. He later accepted the position of Registrar and Dean of Enrollment Services at Carson-Newman where he served for many years. Ed continued his career in higher education when he accepted the position of Director of Admissions and Registrar at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Dayton, Ohio. After retiring from AFIT, he and Jane relocated to Maryville, where he joined the faculty of Pellissippi State Community College (Blount Campus) teaching part time in the Math Department.

Ed is preceded in death by his father and mother, Rev. Lucius Williams Hart and Virginia Merrill Hart. Survivors include: Wife, Jane Hart; Sister, Fredina Cornett and husband, David; Son, Phillip Hart and wife, Jenny; Daughter, Cynthia Urquhart and husband, Kenny; Step-daughters, Sarah Mundo and husband, Mark; Autumn McCray and husband, Jesse; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, cousins and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, in the Trinity Chapel at Smith Funeral & Cremation in Maryville. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00pm with Rev. Dave Strunk and Mr. Stuart Holsing officiating.

Condolences may be shared through Smith Funeral & Cremation, 865-983-1000, or www.smithfuneralandcremation.com.