Rev. David Stilphen Harkness

Rev. David Stilphen Harkness died November 3, 2023, having made a difference in the world for 95 years. David was a storyteller with a stellar sense of humor, an adventurer who dared to pursue the extraordinary, an optimist of authentic character, a compassionate and socially conscious Christian, a minister with the heart of a pastor, a witness of unconditional love and the best Daddy and Poppy in the whole wide world.

Born July 30, 1928 in Biloxi, Mississippi, raised in Texarkana, Texas. Son of defense attorney and mayor of Texarkana, William N. Harkness and Bonnie Ball Harkness. He graduated from Baylor University and Louisville Baptist Seminary and studied pastoral care at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Dorothea Dix Hospital in Winston-Salem. His insatiable curiosity led him to take a variety of interesting classes across the U.S. from New York City to Berkeley to Fairbanks. He served in the U.S. Army as Second Lieutenant.

He was married to Betty Graham of Drew, Mississippi for 66 years and had two daughters, Amy and Molly (Tony Cameron), and two granddaughters, Caroline and Amelia.  

He was a resident of Nashville since 1961 and served several Presbyterian churches including Downtown Presbyterian Church as Minister of Pastoral Care. He was a member of the Middle Tennessee Presbytery and Synod of Living Waters and attended Downtown Presbyterian Church since 1976.

A memorial service will be held November 12 at 1:30 at Downtown Presbyterian Church, 154 Rep. John Lewis Way N. with his daughter Amy Harkness officiating. Family will greet guests briefly before the service at 12:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Parking is in the SP+ garage at 147 4th Avenue N. Please ask an usher for a parking voucher sticker. 

Donations in David’s memory may be made to Downtown Presbyterian Church.