Jeanene Spencer Hart was born December 15, 1932, to K. D. and Odessa Lear Spencer in Houston, Texas. While in her early teens, she was led to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior by a Sunday School teacher. She often spoke of how she boarded a bus each Sunday morning to ride across Houston to attend her church. She went home to her Lord and Savior on August 28, 2026, at age 93, in Plano, Texas.

Jeanene spent most of her youth in Houston with her parents and two older sisters, Doris Magness and Lorene Hitt, who preceded her in death. She spent many summers with her grandmother (Ma Spencer) in Simpsonville, Texas. It was there, one summer, she met the love of her life, Royce Hart. Upon her high school graduation, they married on February 9, 1951. To this union would be born Deborah and David.

After serving in the Army, Royce attended Texas A&M University. During this time, Jeanene worked at the University, becoming a lifelong, dedicated Aggie fan.

After Royce’s graduation, they returned to Gilmer, Texas, where Jeanene displayed her talents in both the domestic and professional spheres. She was an exceptional cook and seamstress as well as a stellar administrative assistant. In the early 1960’s, Jeanene was one of the first employees of Robroy Industries in Gilmer. She later served as administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Gilmer Independent School District.

In 1971, Jeanene and Royce returned to College Station. During this time, Jeanene again worked at Texas A&M for the Texas Transportation Institute, The College of Veterinary Medicine, and ultimately, The Texas A&M Development Foundation where she served as an assistant to the Vice-President for Development. Jeanene fully embraced life in Aggieland where she and Royce rarely missed an Aggie football game.

After retirement in 1993, Jeanene and Royce returned to Gilmer where they built their dream home on acreage just outside of town. “Hart Acres” as they called it, was home to many church socials and fish fries for 21 years. Hart Acres also provided lifetime memories for their grandkids.

No matter where she lived, Jeanene tirelessly served her church. She taught Sunday School and was the founding teacher of the Agape Class at First Baptist, Gilmer. She and Royce also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, including camping, and going abroad.

Jeanene was preceded in death by her husband Royce L. Hart on December 20, 2017.

Jeanene is survived by her children Deborah McCollister (Mackie) of Arlington and David Hart (Julie) of Plano; grandchildren Luke McCollister (Carrie), of Cypress, Daniel McCollister (Anna) of Carrollton, Spencer Hart (Jessica) of Dallas and Madison Hart of Dallas, along with great-grandchildren, Ethan, and Erin McCollister; and Eli, and Addison Hart.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation, from 10:00 AM until her funeral service which will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 4, 2026, in the Chapel of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer Texas with burial to follow at Simpsonville Cemetery in Upshur County.

For those who prefer to give memorials other than flowers, the family requests gifts to The Texas A&M Foundation or Dallas Baptist University.