Sarah Howser Darnell died at her home in Adams, Tennessee on April 28th. Sarah was born on July 25, 1929, the daughter of the late William Douglas and Georgia Belle (Gorman) Howser of Clarksville.
Sarah attended Clarksville High School. She spent a year at Austin Peay and then transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she studied history and English. In 1952, Sarah married Alex Whitefield Darnell, whom she had dated in high school and college. They were married 68 years, until Alex’s death in 2020.
In 1981, Sarah and Alex moved to their farm in Port Royal, where they built a Tudor-style house that Sarah designed, in a beautiful setting overlooking Red River. It was one of the first solar heated houses in the state. Sarah particularly loved the views there, across the river, and the beautiful sunsets.
Sarah taught French at Clarksville High School and later at the Clarksville Academy. She was a long-time member of the Montgomery County Historical Society, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Arts & Heritage Development Council, and a member of the board of Community Spirit, a non-profit organization that sponsors the acclaimed plays “Smoke” (the story of the Black Patch Tobacco War) and “Spirit” that are presented each year at the Kay Bagby Theatre in Adams. She enjoyed history, art, and visits from her many friends and family.
Sarah’s father was a founding member of the First Baptist Church in Clarksville, and she grew up in that church. Later she attended the United Methodist Church in Clarksville. When she and Alex moved to Port Royal, they joined the Port Royal United Methodist Church. Sarah particularly enjoyed the music and fellowship at Port Royal.
Sarah is survived by her children, Stanley D. Darnell, Georjan Darnell Overman (Graham Overman), and Thomas W. Darnell (Elizabeth Winkopp); and her grandchildren Alex Overman (Beth Babcock), Morgan Overman, Jack Thomas Darnell and Sarah-Catherine Darnell; and great-grandchild William Orion Overman.
Funeral Service will be at noon, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home with Rev. John Casey officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7:00 PM Friday and also on Saturday at 11:00 AM until the service hour. Pallbearers are Alex Overman, Morgan Overman, Jack Thomas Darnell, Sarah-Catherine Darnell, Rick Gregory, Dave Rugh, and Mack Norman. Friends and family will be welcomed to the home of Tom and Elizabeth Darnell, 539 Georgetown Road, Clarksville Tennessee, immediately following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Sarah to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.