In her 91st year, Zora Narvelle Crum Courtney passed away at home in Gloster, MS on November 11, 2019. Narvelle taught generations of students at Pine Hills Academy and Amite School Center starting in 1970, retiring in 2006 at the age of 77, with several of those years spent working at River Bend nuclear power plant in St. Francisville, LA.  Born in Crosby, MS on January 10, 1929 to Tom and Zora Crum, she graduated Crosby High School in 1946, Co-Lin Jr College in 1948, and USM in 1950, with masters level study toward a degree in Library Science. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #163 in Baton Rouge, and was the recipient of multiple teaching awards.
Known for her generosity, she is survived by 3 children, Errol Courtney, Beverly Courtney, and C.E. Courtney, Jr.;  2 grandchildren, Casey Cox and Alison Courtney; 1 sister, Merit Ellen Arnold; and many nieces and nephews. Narvelle was preceded in death by her husband, C.E. Courtney, Sr., as well as her many brothers.  Narvelle attended First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Hopewell Methodist in Crosby, and Liberty Presbyterian. Visitation will be 5-8 pm on Thursday, November 14 at Brown Funeral Home on Hwy 24 in Gloster, MS, and the funeral services will be held there at 11 am on Friday, November 15, with the burial at Roseland Cemetery in Gloster.
Flowers can be sent to Brown Funeral Home, donations in her name can be made to St. Luke's Hospital for Children, and our eternal gratitude goes out to all who cared for her through her life, and especially those who treated her with loving kindness in her final days.