Madeline Hart

Madeline Baker Hart, 102, of Carthage, Texas died May 31, 2026. She was born on August 23, 1923, in Carthage, Texas to Kabot and Theo Baker (Porter).

She attended Carthage High School, where she was valedictorian, and Stephen F. Austin University on a full scholarship. She met the love of her life, Ben Campbell Hart, a local boy, and they married on October 12, 1941. They had three children, Ben C., Andrea, and Walt.

She worked at First State Bank for thirty years, starting as a teller and later became the bank’s first female vice-president.

She is remembered by family and friends as the epitome of a Southern lady with her sense of style, her graciousness, and her devotion to Christ. She started every morning by studying her Bible. She practiced her Christian beliefs every day of her life and was kind to everyone she met. Madeline was a member of several civic organizations, book clubs, and the Village Players, a local theater group. She loved Christmas. Her tree and all the gifts would be wrapped meticulously in gold and silver with carefully tied bows. She made sure that everyone had something to unwrap. Her family remembers especially her homemade divinity, hot water cornbread, and biscuits. She loved old movies and musical theater; her daughter and grandchildren have special memories of going with her to Dallas to see performances.

Madeline is survived by her daughter, Andrea Peck and husband Paul of Carthage, her daughters-in-law, Patricia Hart of Marshall, and Jeanette Hart of Carthage, a niece, Nancy Hart of Midland. Also six grandchildren, Amber (Donny) Isbell, Zach (Crystal) Hart, Greg (Krystal) Peck, Kinder (Erik) De Lao, Britney Crabtree, and Whitney Crabtree, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ben, and her sons Ben C. and Walt, and her brother K Baker.

Visitation will be Friday, June 5, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel, 1131 State Highway 149 in Carthage. The funeral will follow at 2:30 p.m., with Brother Aaron Bequette officiating, assisted by Brother Ken Stone. Interment will follow at City Cemetery in Carthage.

Pallbearers will be Kabot Baker, Jonathan Baker, Collin Underwood, Kent Escoe, Robin Brown, and Rob Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be J.R. Duke, Jim Payne, Lynn Vincent, Robert Underwood, and Gene Giles.

Memorials or donations may be made to Ebenezer Ministries International, PO Box 37, Clayton, Texas, 75637.