Howard Franklin Hartness, 81, of Columbia, died Saturday, February 14, 2015. Born December 28, 1933 in Statesville, NC, he was a son of the late Jeff Lee and Annie Fink Hartness. He was a member of North Trenholm Baptist Church and was currently attending Eastside Baptist Church. Mr. Hartness enjoyed being a musician and played at different venues throughout his life. He especially enjoyed playing and singing at local nursing homes and at Eastside Baptist Church.

Survivors include his sons, Joshua d'Marque "Mark" of Columbia, John (Cheryl) Hartness of Blythewood; daughter, Karen (Mark) Chapman of Winnsboro; brother, James (Reba) Hartness of Winston Salem, NC; and grandson, Caleb Chapman. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Dot Henderson.

The funeral service for Mr. Hartness will be held at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, February 18th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with The Rev. Dr. Dennis Letts officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 o'clock. Interment will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery.