Della Faye (Reynolds) Courtney

Della Faye Courtney, of Thornton, passed peacefully Monday evening, November 5, 2012. She fought the good fight and is now enjoying her eternal reward. She repeatedly told those surrounding her Sunday evening, “I’m in a hurry, gotta-go, love you, bye-bye.” Her last words Monday were “I’m ready.” Visitation will be Wednesday, November 7, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the Central Baptist Church of Thornton, where she was saved and baptized at an early age. Brother David Snow, of the Shiloh Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Keith Reynolds, Michael Carter, J.T. Carter, Walter Hewitt, Christian Smith, and Brother Nathaniel Bedford. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Gonzalez, Larry Ballou, Kenneth Reynolds, Olen Reynolds, Bill Neason and Larry Davenport. Della Faye was born August 9, 1941 in Thornton, to R.J. and Era Mae Reynolds, the oldest of their five children. She grew up working in the field on her father’s farm, and graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Thornton High School. On December 18, 1959, during her senior year, she married her sweetheart, George Courtney, Jr. They lived the first twenty-three years of their life together in Groesbeck. When he was called to the ministry, they moved to several other Texas towns where he pastored in Baptist churches, and where she was a support to him in his work for the Lord. In the early nineties, they moved back to Limestone County. His last church was Shiloh Baptist Church. Della Faye worked as an activity director for several nursing homes in Bremond, Groesbeck, and Hubbard, and also in the swing-bed unit of the hospital. She was very passionate about this work, and dearly loved the improvement she could make in the lives of her patients. She helped George in a prison ministry, which she continued to be involved with even after his death, including visits to prisons as far away as Beaumont and Angleton, letters, cards and financial help to those she was able to befriend. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver, and was always ready to help anyone, even if it was inconvenient. She lived in Thornton until her health deteriorated earlier this year. When she moved to Waco to be near her daughter, she missed her beloved cat Patches. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Courtney; sons, Charles Wayne Courtney and James Anthony Courtney; her parents, R. J. and Era Mae Reynolds; and grandson, James David Elder. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Richard Gonzalez of Waco; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Jennifer and Larry Ballou of Thornton; great granddaughter, Adalee “Addy-girl” Corynn Ballou of Thornton; siblings: Elizabeth and Bill Neason of Thornton, Olen and Sandra Reynolds of Burleson, Kenneth and Karen Reynolds of Pflugerville, Kathy and Larry Davenport of Elgin, and foster son, Richard Crouch of Thornton; step grandson, Austin Gonzalez of Alpine; and many additional family and friends. The family wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Hillcrest for their excellent care these last twelve days of her life. Specifically, thanks to ER Admissions, ER surgery, MICU, Respiratory Therapy, Hospice, 4 North, and Chaplains. Also, heartfelt thanks to the staff at Crestview Healthcare for their great care these last few months. Especially her niece, Lisa Smith, Administrative Assistant at Crestview, who cherished taking care of “Aunt Faye.” We truly believe God placed Lisa there just for her. Thanks also, to the Doctors and Staff of Brazos Kidney Center for their great care the last two years that she was on dialysis. You made it as easy as possible for her.