On June 13, 2026, Esther Underwood Hart left her earthly body to join her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Esther devoted her life to serving the Lord and caring for her family. She was born during a record snowfall April 29, 1928, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to the late Rev. W. B. Underwood and Annie Bain Underwood. She attended high school and college at Emmanuel (Emmanuel University) in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
In 1955, she married Joel Hart and relocated to Radford. She became an active member and faithful servant at Bain Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church, a church founded years earlier by her grandmother. Throughout her life, she served in many capacities, including pianist, deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth leader and Women’s Auxiliary President.
In the mid-1960s, Esther contracted the Station A Post Office in Radford, a position traditionally held by men. She later retired as a secretary with Montgomery County Schools. After retirement, she accepted a part-time position at Radford University and continued working until the age of 85.
Esther loved cooking and crafting. Her fruitcake cookies, peanut butter balls, chocolate pound cake, and sourdough bread became family favorites and were enjoyed by countless friends. Above all, she treasured her family and friends. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose loyalty and love touched many lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Bobby Hart; her grandson, Jesse Hart; her granddaughter, Rachael Burnett; and her brothers, Rev. B. E. Underwood, Richard Underwood, and Rev. Bane Underwood.
Esther is survived by her children, Marcia Hill (Mark) of Virginia Beach, Tim Hart (Cindy) of Riner, and Cheryl Lomascolo of Radford; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Board (Donnie) of Radford; sisters, Ruby Reel (Terry) and Martha Hancock; grandchildren: Amanda Fenn (Aaron), Julia Hill (Andy), Jonathan Hill (Arianna), Martin Hill, Ben Hart, Andy Hart, Bret Hart (Julie), Ryan Hart, and Lauren Lomascolo; great-grandchildren: Nathaniel Hart, Mason Hart, Levi Fizer, Rylie Ratliff, Blake Ratliff, Holden Farley, Jamie Farley, Simon Hart, Malakai Hart, Jonah Hart, Riggs Fenn, Gracen Fenn, and Eliana Hill; and by her great-great-grandson, Austin Hart. Esther also leaves behind her lifelong best friend, Esther Underwood; her caregivers, Jessica Wirt and Alpha Stewart; a large clan of nieces and nephews; many special friends; and her beloved church family of 25 years at Harbor of Hope.
The family received friends Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services followed. Burial followed in Appalachian Conference Grounds in Dublin.
The Hart family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
