Harold D. Church, a life-long resident of Maury County, was born February 9, 1919 and died Friday, February 5, 2021 peacefully at Magnolia Healthcare in Columbia. He was the son of the late Clayton Forgy Church and Nora Dene Shaw Church, and the grandson of the late State Senator John W. Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Clayton Church, Sr.
His education began at the Athendale and McDowell Elementary Schools, continued with Columbia High School and graduated from Columbia Military Academy. His college education was from Andrew Jackson Business College in Nashville, TN with a two-year Associate Business degree.
During World War II he served with the 8th Army Air Corps and was stationed in England. After discharge in late 1945 he went to Detroit and worked for Ford Motor Company. Returning to Maury County, he worked variously as a painter, carpenter, and farmer until finally retiring in his late eighties.
He is survived by two nephews, Dr. John Clayton Church, Jr. (Therese) of Dalton, GA and Alan Burton Church of Charlotte, NC, other survivors are three grand-nieces, Nora Charlesworth (Sean) of Atlanta, GA, Joanna Finch (Craig) of Plymouth, MN; and Alana Church of Anchorage, AK. Also surviving is a cousin, Mr. Wally Beasley (Charlotte) of Columbia.
A student of history and current affairs, he remained alert until the end. He requested no flowers, but memorials to the Maury County Regional Library are encouraged.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols with Eddie Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
