Joyce Ruth Gullett Hart

Joyce Hart, 86, of Morehead, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2024. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Joyce lived a life full of warmth, light, and unwavering generosity of spirit.

Born on August 5, 1938, in Morehead, Kentucky, to Wathan and Margie Gullett, she was one of six siblings. She grew up in Morehead and went on to proudly graduate from Breckinridge Training School. During her time at Breck, she met the love of her life, Rondal Hart, and the two were married for 27 joyful years until Rondal’s untimely passing from cancer in the summer of 1984.

Together, they raised three children, Shari, Ron, and Brad. She prioritized her children beyond everything else, and throughout the years was a cheering staple at baseball, tennis, and basketball games, bell choir practices, piano recitals, boy and girl scouts, and the list goes on and on. 

Joyce began her working life at Morehead State University, where she served for many years as the Executive Assistant to MSU’s President at the time, Adron Doran. She then joined Cave Run Clinic as an Administrative Assistant and Office Manager where she spent the next 20+ years until her retirement. 

Outside of work, she loved attending live musicals (“The Lion King” was her favorite), working on puzzles of all kinds, meeting new people and learning about their life stories (she never met a stranger!), getting her hair done weekly by her dearest friend Debbie (a tradition for over 35 years!), but most of all, she adored spending time with her family, playing board games around the dinner table, watching old movies such as “The Sound of Music” or “The Wizard of Oz”, and talking about current events. She held the city of Morehead very near and dear to her heart and everywhere she went, she found opportunities to talk about how great a place to live it was.

 Joyce is survived by her three children Shari (John) Hays, Ron (Scott) Hart and Brad (Rebecca) Hart, four grandsons, Jonathan Hays, Jacob Hays, Camuel Hart and Lucas Hart, and her sister, Emmy (Jim) Gross and brother, John (Sandy) Gullett. 

 Visitation will be held on Friday, December 20th, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead and then a celebration of life service on Saturday, December 21st, at 11:00 am at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Morehead with Rev. Nancy Gowler officiating.

Private burial will take place in the Lee Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Christian Church Mack Fund.

 Joyce’s family and many friends will forever cherish her giving spirit, her ability to find beauty in the smallest of moments, and her enduring care for others. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home, 808 Old Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, Kentucky is caring for all arrangements for Joyce Hart and her family.