Huey Parnell Hartsell, 85, passed from this life on Thursday, March 17, 2016, in Cullman, Alabama while surrounded by family and friends.
Mr. Hartsell grew up in Haynesville, LA and worked on his family's dairy farm. By the age of 15, he had begun to take an interest in preaching the gospel. He later attended Freed Hardiman College in Hendersonville, TN where he met Betty Ellis of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. After college, he began preaching full-time in Cleveland, MS where he married Betty on August 15, 1950. They moved throughout the south working with local congregations of the Lord's people in Mississippi, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. He also devoted much of his time to writing hymns of worship to God and songs of admonition to the saints. In 2008, he retired from full-time preaching and moved to Cullman, AL where he resided until his death.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Shack Hartsell; his mother, Nicie Sue Hartsell; his brother, SB Hartsell; his sister, Anne Iverson; and son-in-law, Bruce Hall.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Betty, along with his 7 children – Dana Chappell (husband John), Carol Partain (husband Joseph), David Hartsell (wife Belinda), Beth Crawford (husband Dennis), Danny Hartsell (wife Katie), Jana Marshall (husband Matt), BJ Dutton (husband Tarry). He had 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will take place at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 18, and again from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. preceding the funeral. The funeral will be Saturday, March 19, at 12 p.m. with burial to follow at Oakwood Memorial Gardens in Gardendale, AL.
Friends can leave a message of sympathy for the family or upload memorable pictures which will be used to create a family keepsake at www.mossservicefh.com.
