Rev. Arthur “Art” Lee Hartley

Rev. Arthur Lee “Art” Hartley of Jones, Alabama, answered the call he preached about and longed for on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at the age of 84. 

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of Arthur Lee Hartley Sr. and Gaynez Elizabeth Heflin Hartley, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one brother, John Othello Hartley.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lizzie Dell Atchison Hartley; three children, Greg Hartley (Lori) of Pearl, MS,Pam Hartley Frasier (Mark) of Selma, and Tony Hartley (Angela) of Mobile; Six grandchildren, Gregory Hartley,Sarah Frasier Cox (John), Stanhope Frasier, Tayla Lee, Rachel Hartley Bush (David) and Michael Hartley; two great-grandchildren, Grayson Lee and Frasier Cox; two brothers, Charles Hartley, (Barbara) of Birmingham and Dean Hartley (Elaine) of Ashland, KY; one sister, Alyson Ellerin (Dave) of Denver, CO., one sister-in-law, Toni Hartley of Birmingham; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Jones Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Whitehead of Jones Baptist officiating. Burial will be in Jones Cemetery with Selma Funeral Home of Valley Grande directing. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church.

Pallbearers will be Gregory Hartley, Michael Hartley, Stanhope Frasier, John Cox, Jared Chandler and Gerald Jordan. Honorary Pallbearers will be Barney Caver, Bob Ed Reed and Lawrence Chandler.

Art grew up in Birmingham and graduated from West End High School in 1959. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves 1957-1961 and in the U.S. Army 1961-1964. He attended Samford University, majoring in sociology and religion, and graduated in 1972.

The first sermon he ever preached was as a 19-year-old in front of more than 2,000 people for Youth Day at his church. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry at Green Acres Baptist Church in 1967 and became pastor at his first church at age 27.

He later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 1974 with a Master’s of Religious Education.

Over the past five decades, Art has pastored churches throughout Alabama including Shady Grove Baptist Church in Burnsville; Unity Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa; Calvary Heights Baptist Church in Alexander City; Maplesville Baptist Church in Maplesville; Jones Baptist Church in Jones; Cambridge Christian Church at Five Points; and several others. He loved participating in Vacation Bible Schools each summer and the opportunity to share Christ with local children and his own grandchildren, who traveled to Jones each summer to take part.

In the mid-80s, Art joined the U.S. Postal Service as a Rural Mail Carrier working out of the Plantersville Post Office. He most enjoyed meeting the people who lived along his rural route.

When he wasn’t delivering mail or in the pulpit, he spent time gardening; making repairs or building something at home; reading mystery novels; and singing gospel music. He performed for several years as part of the gospel group “The Singing Disciples” and wrote a number of gospel songs.

He retired from the Post Office and multiple times from full-time ministry, but he continued to preach and lead song services even into his 80s. He and his wife Dell moved to Cedar Hill Assisted Living in Selma in 2019, and he found new strength and purpose in serving as the facility’s self-appointed pastor during the pandemic lockdown. Until just earlier this year, Art led congregational song services at Cedar Hill every Saturday.

Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Pastor, Musician, Friend … beloved child of God.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Jones Baptist Church, mailing address 1277 Nicholas Lane, Jones AL 36749.