Alex Whitefield Darnell

Alex Whitefield Darnell died November 24, 2020 after a brief illness.  He was born September 9, 1929, in Montgomery County, to the late Elliott Sinclair and Anita Whitefield Darnell. He graduated from Clarksville High School and received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1951, where he played offensive tackle on a football scholarship. He was coach of the Vanderbilt Freshman football team while attending law school.

In 1952 he married the former Sarah Anne Howser, whom he began dating in high school.  After graduating from Vanderbilt Law School in 1954, Alex served two years in Germany during the Occupation, in U.S. Army intelligence activities. He returned to Clarksville, where he was in private law practice until appointed Clerk and Master of Montgomery County Chancery Court by Chancellor William Leach, Sr. He served as President of the Tennessee County Officials Association, where he helped modernize the County Officials retirement system.

In 1975 Alex was appointed Chancellor of the then 6th Chancery District, which covered eight counties, including Stewart, Montgomery, and Robertson. He served over 20 years on the bench.

Chancellor Darnell loved farming. In 1981 he and Sarah moved to Port Royal, on Red River, where they had built one of the earliest solar-heated homes. There Alex raised cattle, grew fruit trees, and kept a garden. His favorite things were cooking, politics, and telling stories.

Alex was a faithful member of Port Royal United Methodist Church, where he particularly enjoyed the adult Sunday School class, the music, and monthly potluck dinners.

Alex was preceded in death by his brother, Riley C. Darnell. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, their children, Stanley D. Darnell, Thomas W. (Elizabeth) Darnell, both of Clarksville, and Georjan Darnell (Graham) Overman, of Hamilton, Virginia, and grandchildren, Alex (Beth) Overman, Morgan Overman, Jack Thomas Darnell, and Sarah Catherine Darnell.

There will be a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery on December 5th at 2:00 p.m.  Pallbearers will be Alex and Morgan Overman, Jack and Sarah Catherine Darnell, Rick Gregory, Dave Rugh, and Evans Peay. Honorary Pallbearers are Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan, Jr., Circuit Court Judges Ross H. Hicks, Bill Goodman, Ted A. Crozier, Jr., Jill Bartee Ayers, Kathryn Wall Olita, and Appeals Court Judge Bob Wedemeyer, retired Appeals Court Judge John H. Peay,  and District Attorney John W. Carney, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate gifts to the Sarah Howser Darnell History Scholarship Endowment at Austin Peay State University, P.O. Box 4417, Clarksville, TN 37044, or Urban Ministries Safe House, 217 South 3rd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.

Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488. Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com.

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