Benjamin Courtney

Benjamin Haywood Courtney passed away on July 12, 2013 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Ben was born on August 2, 1945 in Williamston and spent his entire life in the town that he loved. He was a loving husband to Carolyn Simmons Courtney, his wife of 43 years, and a devoted father. He is survived by his adoring son, Benjamin Simmons Courtney, and two loving daughters and sons-in-law: Dr. Mimi Courtney Arnold and her husband, Alan, of Houston, and Laura Courtney Kirby and her husband, Matt, of Raleigh. Ben was a proud granddaddy, with five young grandsons with whom he enjoyed fishing and playing ball. His grandsons are Graham, Tripp, and John David Arnold and Jack and Miles Kirby. Ben also has a caring sister-in-law, Lee-Ann Courtney, and nephew, Jonathan. Other beloved relatives include his aunt, Dorothy Haywood Corey. He had affection for his many cousins whom he has fond memories of harvesting peaches on his grandfather’s farm and eating scalloped oysters in Williamston over the holidays. Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Betty Haywood and Ben D. Courtney, and his brother, Bill who also died of pancreatic cancer.

After graduating from Williamston High School, Ben attended Hargrave Military Academy for a year and then enrolled at East Carolina University where he obtained a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Administration. He also attained a six-year certificate in Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent his professional career as an assistant principal and principal and served as a secretary with the North Carolina Association of Educators. Later, he obtained a Master’s in Counseling and worked as a guidance counselor in Martin County schools.

Ben was an active and faithful member of Memorial Baptist Church where he was trustee. He was a member of the Fellowship Committee, a former chair of the Benevolent Fund, which focuses on meeting needs of the community, Outreach leader, chairman and member of the Bruce Wynne Scholarship committee, and an usher. He also did not miss an opportunity to serve his neighbors during Operation-In- As- Much, a day of service for those in need.

Ben was active in his community. He was a director of the Williamston State Employees Credit Union and served on the credit union’s advisory board. He was a board member of the Martin Memorial Library and of Roanoke Country Club. Ben was also involved in several civic organizations, including the Optimist club, the Jaycee club, and the Kiwanis club, where he served as director, secretary, and treasurer. With the Martin County Tourism and Development Authority, he was a chair and later vice-chairmen of the board. Ben also recently spearheaded a project focused on restoring a gazebo that is architecturally and historically significant. This included raising funds from families with loved ones buried at the cemetery.

Ben showed his love to family and to God through work and service. But, he also enjoyed many good times with others, including weekly golf games with a group of men from Memorial Baptist Church. One of his favorite golf memories was a hole-in-one at a course in Halifax County. Ben loved annual canoe trips, fishing with a neighbor, family beach trips, and playing with his grandsons and dog, Bogey.

Visitation will be at Biggs Funeral Home on Monday, July 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening and also at the Courtney home on 1054 Oakview Road, Williamston. A service celebrating his life will be held at Memorial Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 16th at 11:00 followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Flowers are graciously accepted. Donations in his memory may be made to the Benevolent fund at Memorial Baptist Church, to Martin Memorial Library, or to the Caring House, a supportive community for individuals undergoing cancer treatments. The Caring House is located at 2625 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705 or donations can be made online (www.caringhouse.org/contact).