TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Apr 20, 2021

Longtime federal district and appellate court Judge Harry Wellford of Memphis died Saturday at 96. Wellford earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School before returning to Memphis to practice. He also became an active community leader, serving on the Memphis Community Relations Committee alongside other community leaders like Lucius Burch, Lewis Donelson and Jesse Turner. He managed the 1966 U.S. Senate campaign of Howard Baker, who later recommended Wellford for appointment to the federal district court, and later to the Court of Appeals. A private burial will be held on April 26 and will be followed by a 2:30 p.m. CDT memorial service at the Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union Avenue, Memphis. Those wishing to attend the memorial service must pre-register. The service will also be livestreamed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Idlewild Presbyterian Church, St. Mary's Episcopal School, or a charity of the donor's choice.