Maggie Lee Hart

Maggie Lee (Hounchell) Hart, 94, Kokomo, was freed from the confines of her earthly body on March 8, 2025 at 7:42 P.M. Maggie was born in Wallins Creek, KY on April 12,1930 to Elbert and Martha (Rogers) Hounchell.

On July 19,1950 Maggie was betrothed to the love of her life, Mickey Hart, by the Rev. McFarland in Kokomo, Indiana. Maggie and Mickey were blessed with 70 years together in beautiful, loving matrimony before Mickey’s passing in 2020. Maggie was loved and adored by her husband, who was keenly aware of how lucky he was and was known to speak at length on his darlin’ baby’s sweet and angelic nature.

Maggie and Mickey were also blessed with a large, loving family of their own through their five children: Vivian (Lynn) Rudolph, Dale (Janice) Hart, Paul David Hart, Theresa Hart, and DuJuan Hart. Their family grew with their six grandchildren: Chris Hart, Paul David (Bethany) Hart, Heather Whitacre, Zach Rudolph, Rhiannon Hart, and Caitlyn (Alex) Rudolph-Schram.

Carrying on the legacy are 18 great-grandchildren, along with Maggie’s first great-great grandchild, due the day after her passing, and yet to arrive by the time this is published. We would be remiss to leave out the dozens of nieces and nephews Maggie helped rear and raise over the last century.

Family was of the utmost importance to Maggie and as was common for her era, she came from a large one herself as the oldest daughter of 13 siblings, total. One of the last three Hounchell’s surviving, Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Clayton, Earl, George, Bobby, Jim, Larry, and David, as well as her sisters Ruby, Nadine, and Ruth. Also preceding her in death along with her husband were three of her children; Theresa Ann, Paul David, and DuJuan, and her son-in-law, Lynn Rudolph.

She is survived by the remainder of her children and grandchildren, as well as her brother Gerald and her little sister Shirley, with whom she shared a special relationship and loved to spend time with. Also, notably she is survived by her great-grand daughter Jaeley Shuck, who she and Mickey raised as their own. Jaeley was her pride and joy and the reason we believe we were blessed with Maggie for as long as we were. Jaeley, who at 17 spent so much time dedicated to caring for Maggie, was and will always be her Mamaw’s girl.

Maggie’s story is one of humble beginnings. In her early years she spent her childhood in the coal mining camps and hollers of southeastern Kentucky before moving to Corbin. As the oldest daughter, she left school after 8th grade to help take care of her younger siblings and support her household. She was 19 and working in a boarding house when the young Mickey spotted her in a diner and their lives were changed forever. A woman of deep faith, she knew that he was the one for her after hearing him preach. It also probably helped that he was handsome, had a good job at one of the new car factories up north, and was madly in love with her. She moved to Kokomo, secured her own job at Delco and was married that July.

Maggie was incredibly social, active, and independent. She remained at Delco until her retirement in the 1980’s, working full time while raising her children and supporting Mickey’s ministry, where they would help establish over a dozen churches in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. She was continuously involved with the UAW local 292, the UAW Hobby Club, the Del-Ra women’s group, and the local Democrat party. She traveled to Washington to advocate for senior citizens. She regularly attended church, attending several Missionary Baptist churches in the area over the years, most recently attending Amana Missionary Baptist in Kokomo. Maggie was a talented artist and crafter, accomplished with awards in painting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting along with other crafts. She truly treasured her time crafting in community with other women at Hobby Club and spent over 40 years of her life doing so. She was a fantastic cook and an award-winning baker, with children and grandchild who often fought over her leftovers. She often participated in things like bowling leagues or line dancing with her friends. In fact, even at the age of 94 and within weeks of her passing, she was attending at least three social functions a week. She loved to sing, especially her hymns and spent time each day with her daily devotions.

More than anything, Maggie Hart exemplified the nature of the matriarch. She was an incredibly kind, generous, and loving person. The patron saint of patience. She raised so many generations of children, whether they were hers or not, and took absolute joy in every new life and opportunity to love. She continuously urged us to love each other fiercely. There were no burned bridges or scorned children, we all flocked to her love and grace. She was gentle and soft spoken, yet always the firm, unwavering foundation on which our family was built.

Services for Maggie Hart will be held on Saturday, March 15 at Eller’s Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster, visitation from 12-4 P.M. and funeral at 4 pm. Pastor Ryan Morgan will be officiating.