Elizabeth Courtney

Elizabeth Mae Courtney, 86, of 495 Betsy Drive, Todd, NC., passed away Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2015, at Watauga Medical Center. Mrs. Courtney was born October 7, 1928 in Corning, Ar., a daughter of the late John Jackson Alexander and Rosie Cagle Alexander. She was a homemaker and a long time member and Sunday School Teacher at Faith Tabernacle Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. My mother, known as "Liz" to her friends and neighbors, was a caring and loving "Mom" and friend. She was raised in an orphanage after suffering polio as a 4 year old child. She still managed to rear 6 children with one good hand. God gives each one of us a special gift in life. Her gift was a giving spirit. She cared for her neighbors taking them food and offering prayers. She didn't know she was poor but she shared what she had and God blessed her for it. The last couple of years, even though she was not able to cook, she still found a way to give. She loved to embroidery and made beautiful pillow cases to give almost anyone who crossed her path. Elizabeth is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline Roberts and husband Jim of Todd, NC. and Barbara Guignon and her companion, Gary Grier of St. Charles, Mo., two sons, Kevin Courtney and wife Shonda of Fisk, Mo. and James Leach of Missouri, and one sister, Mary Toombs of Poplar Bluff, Mo., eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Eugene Courtney; one daughter, Robin Leach, one son, David Leach, and several brothers and sisters. Visitation will be Friday from 11 A.M. to 12 noon. at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 12:00. Rev. Kevin Courtney will officiate. Burial will be at City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.