Rutledge Elwood Courtney

Services for the Rev. Dr. Rutledge Elwood Courtney of Thomasville are at 10:00AM on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 at Dawson Street Baptist Church. The Rev. Dr. Tom Kinchen, the Rev. Lee Waller, the Rev. Thilmon Voiner and the Rev. Dr. Don Prevatt will officiate. Interment will be in Salem Cemetery in Pavo, GA. Members of his Sunday School Class and Ministers will be Honorary Pallbearers. Rev. Courtney died August 29 at his residence. Born March 23, 1917 in Washington County, Ala., he was the son of the late Rufus Edward and Viola Williams Courtney. On September 4, 1948 in Leakesville, Miss., he married Merle Walley Courtney who survives. Rev. Courtney served in the United States Army during World War II. He graduated from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and first served as pastor in 1948 in Mississippi; from 1956 ? 1961 he served as pastor in Meigs, GA.; from 1961 ? 1982 he served as pastor for Dawson Street Baptist Church in Thomasville, GA.; and from 1982 ? 1989 he served as pastor at Salem Baptist Church in Pavo, GA. He has served as Interim Pastor for several churches. Other survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Steve Rainey of Albany, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Robin Courtney of Thomasville, and Mark and Tracy Courtney of Lawrenceville, GA.; grandchildren, John Courtney, Jr., Michael Adams, Kelly Forte, Adam Courtney, Laura Courtney, Mary Claire Courtney, Destany Atkins, Bethany Atkins; great grandchildren, Harley Courtney, A. J. Forte and John Courtney, III; brothers, Morris Courtney of Neely, Miss., Jack Courtney of Wiggins, Miss.; sister, Esther Hicks of Gainesville, FL. The family will receive friends from 7-9PM on Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
ALLEN & ALLEN FUNERAL HOME