Mary Frances Courtner, 93, of Butler, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at Pine Ridge Care Center following a brief illness.
A native of Old Butler, she was a daughter of the late Robert Allen “R.A.” and Mae Neatherly Courtner. She had lived most of her life in Elizabethton.
Frances was a graduate of Watauga Academy of Old Butler and graduated from Steed Business College. She worked as a secretary in the Chemical Lab at American Bemberg Corporation until it closed. She also worked in the Polyester Plant at North American Rayon Corporation. She retired from the Elizabethton Housing Agency as a secretary in 1986.
Frances was the oldest member of Butler Baptist Church. She served as Treasurer for several years. She had been a member of Butler Chapter #218 Order of Eastern Star for 54 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Vernell Boling and Chloe Lipford, and three brothers, Paul, Howard and Earl Courtner.
Survivors include a sister, Lucille Hodge of Butler; a special nephew, Michael Lowe, a special niece, Nioka Markland and her husband David, all of Butler; a great-niece and a great-great-niece of Greer, S.C.
A memorial service for Mrs. Courtner will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Daniel Wood and Dr. Alan King officiating. Music will be provided by Jean Osborne. Butler Chapter #218 Order of Eastern Star will conduct a service following the memorial service. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Dr. Jerdy and the staff of Pine Ridge Care Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Fair Street, Greenville, SC 29605 or Butler Baptist Church, 198 Piercetown Road, Butler, TN 37640. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence of her niece, Nioka Markland, Butler. It was Frances’ wish to be cremated. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Courtner family.