The Reverend Dr. Richard Taylor Harbison

The Reverend Dr. Richard Taylor Harbison died on December 9, 2023, at the age of 91.

“Dick”, as he was known to all, was born in 1932 and raised in Greenville, Mississippi where he attended the Greenville public schools. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA; attended the University of St. Andrews, Scotland for a year of theological study; and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, VA. He received a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.

Dick served Presbyterian churches in Canton, MS, Lexington, KY, Baton Rouge, LA, Pensacola, FL and retired in 1997 as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, VA. He then served as Interim Pastor of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Cornelia Bostick Harbison, also a native of Greenville, MS, their son, Richard Taylor Harbison, Jr., their son, William Reade Harbison and his brother, William Frank Harbison, and his wife Mary Ann.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jones Harbison; his son Mark Bostick Harbison (Stuart), his daughter, Cornelia Harbison Hoover (Rod), his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Holman Harbison, his grandchildren, Richard Harbison, William Harbison, Cornelia Venema (Zack), Alex Lloyd-Smith (Gregor), Julia Walsh (Donovan), Grace Hoover, Liza Harbison (Dylan), Rebecca Harbison, Wiley Harbison and his great grandson, Adam Venema. He is also survived by his wife’s family, Sarah Marsh Dunn Gleason (Brian), Anne Dunn Hitchins (Todd) and grandchildren, Caroline Gleason, Mac Gleason, Grady Hitchins and Frannie Hitchins.

Mr. Harbison celebrated his 50th reunion at Union Presbyterian Seminary in 2008 where he cited as, “one thing 50 years has taught me” these words: “Grace is everywhere.”

A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1215 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. The family will greet visitors following the service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial gift are asked to consider the Richard T. Harbison Merit Scholarship Endowment at Union Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227, The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, 1100 Commerce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504, or a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com.