September 9, 2023, 68, Goldsboro —
Stephen Denning “Denny” Tart, 68, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at his home. Denny was born in Wayne County to the late John Lisker Tart and Marjorie Stevens Tart on February 14, 1955.
A graduate of Southern Wayne High School, Denny pursued undergraduate studies at Mount Olive College and later graduated from North Carolina State University with his Masters. With a passion for education and a heart for teaching, Denny taught in the Agriculture Department at Rosewood High School for many years before accepting the position of Career and Technical Education Director for Wayne County Public Schools. He retired after 28 years of service in education.
Always in service to others and ever involved in his community, Denny served on the Board for the Wayne County Livestock Association and the Cattleman Association. He was an active member in both the Goldsboro Elks Lodge and the Grantham Grange.
Denny was never one to be idle. Even in his time of leisure, he still preferred working on his farm and growing strawberries. Everyone who knew Denny professes he was the master of making strawberry ice cream. Though farming may have been his favorite pastime, he was also an amateur photographer and loved photographing nearly anything that caught his eye.
A faithful member of Selah Christian Church, Denny was one of the founding members of the Nativity production that was sponsored by the church each December. With a deeply instilled and unwavering faith, Denny was proud of his Christian heritage and thankful for his parents who never failed to live the faith they taught him. Denny’s family takes comfort in knowing he is with the Savior whom he worshiped and loved.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Selah Christian Church followed by a service to celebrate Denny’s life at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with Pastor Patrick Muston officiating. The interment will be in Wayne Memorial Park.
Denny is survived by his significant other and caregiver, Pam Bryan; son, Stephen D. Tart II and wife, Dani of Goldsboro; daughter, Caroline T. Warmack and husband, Kyle of Goldsboro; granddaughter, Dorothy Ray Warmack; brother, John L. Tart II and wife, LaRue of Goldsboro; sister, Dianne T. Thornton and husband, Kenneth of Goldsboro; and several nieces and nephews he loved very much.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the nurses and aides with Gentiva Hospice. Love and heartfelt thanks are also expressed to his caregivers and friends, Lue Parks and Flo Chambers.
Memorials may be given in Denny’s memory to
Selah Christian Church Scholarship Fund, c/o Jason Thornton
4294 U.S. Hwy. 13 South
Goldsboro, NC 27530
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
