Mildred Harrison Courtney's Obituary
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Mildred Harrison Courtney, much loved wife and mother passed away at age 92. Mildred was born on January 3, 1932, along with her twin sister Margaret Harrison Wallen in Greenwood, South Carolina to William Henry Harrison and Helen Henry Harrison (yes, her mother's maiden name was the same as her father's middle name). She grew up in Greenwood and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1950. Instead of getting married and being a full-time homemaker like most ladies of her time, she went to Lander College and earned a degree in Medical Technology. While she was in college, she met the love of her life, James Thatcher Courtney. They married in 1954 and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Shortly after getting married, they moved to Florida where they raised two daughters, Deborah Louise Courtney and Mildred Ann Courtney.
Mildred was a career woman who worked in the lab at various hospitals until retiring from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in 1992. Then she began the RV Life. Mildred and Thatcher traveled all over the United States in their RV and spent most summers in Alaska salmon fishing. They managed to travel to all 50 states which was on their bucket list.
An important person in Mildred's life was her twin sister, Margaret. Only 3% of people are born as a twin and their relationship was special. Margaret was her best friend and they were like peas in a pod. They loved to tell stories about their childhood in the country.
Mildred loved to cook and created delicious mouth-watering southern meals at home. Eating out was a rarity. Why eat out when her food was so good? She also loved to sew and made most of her clothes back in the day and her daughter's clothes when they were young. But her favorite thing to do was to be with her husband, Thatcher. They were rarely apart and adored each other. It was the kind of relationship where they didn't have to say a word but knew what the other wanted or needed.
Later in life, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Thatcher became her loving caretaker until the day he passed at 89 years old. Then her daughters took over and made sure she was loved and had the best care. She never lost herself to the disease and remained sassy until her last day.
Mildred was the kind of person that was beautiful but never fussed over herself. She had a natural beauty inside and out. She was never one to waste anything (especially food). She appreciated nature and always had a hummingbird feeder hanging outside her window. When the winged wonders visited her feeder, she would marvel at how magnificent they were. Every sighting was as thrilling as the first. She was a treasure and will be greatly missed.
Mildred is survived by her daughters, Deborah (Brian) and Ann, her grandchildren, Jimmy and Courtney (Carlos), and her twin sister Margaret (Winford - deceased). She is predeceased by her husband, Thatcher and her brother Robert (Joan - deceased). A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024at 3:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 823 NW 143rd St, Gainesville FL 32669. Family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Reception following the service. No graveside service due to the heat. Arrangements being handled by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea 823 NW 143rd St, Gainesville FL 32669. Final resting place is Fairbanks Cemetery in the Courtney family plot.
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