JoAnn Courtney, of Elmore City, Oklahoma, was one of ten children born to Magnalena and Jessie Horn. She was born November 19, 1933, in Orr, Oklahoma. She took her last breath on April 16, 2023, with family at her side at the age of 89. JoAnn’s husband and nine other siblings (five brothers and four sisters) proceeded her in death. In earlier days, JoAnn attended school in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. On August 9, 1952, she married the late Kenneth Courtney in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and they made their home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for many years. While in that area, she worked for Western Electric Company and T G & Y stores for years until her retirement. In 1982, they moved to Elmore City, Oklahoma, at which time she decided going with Kenneth on ventures to buying and selling, cattle, tractors, etc., most days wasn’t her “cup of tea” so she went back to work for Walmart stores for several years, then retired again.
JoAnn accepted her Lord and Savior into her life at a young age in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and was a member of the Dumas Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She loved canning fruits and vegetables. She was a gifted seamstress who could sew any garment upon first glance by designing her own patterns. JoAnn would sew, hem, repair, darn and patch clothing for anyone in her community or out of state and would not charge them a penny. JoAnn’s legacy was one of kindness, modesty, honor, generosity and genuine integrity. She was as good a cook as a seamstress and enjoyed sharing meals with others.
Mrs. Courtney is survived by three daughters, Connie Fogle (husband, Martin) of Oklahoma City, Sandra Bumgarner (husband, Larry) of Lake Texoma, and Elizabeth Courtney of Elmore City. She is blessed to have one grandson, Jeromé Fogle (wife, Jami) of Mulhall, Oklahoma, and granddaughter, Courtney Carpenter (husband, Caleb) of Piedmont, Oklahoma. She also leaves great-grandchildren, Jace Fogle, Joci Fogle, Cam Carpenter and Calan Carpenter who were all so loved and precious to her, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around her and whispered “Come with Me.” A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands were laid to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He Only Takes the Best.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Wooster Funeral Home Chapel in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, with Joe Terrell officiating. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.
