Earney Randall Courson, 85, of Blackshear, passed away Friday morning, January 12, 2024, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born July 15, 1938, in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Earnie and Faye Bennett Courson. Living all his life in Pierce County, he had served in the Army National Guard and had worked in law enforcement, as a heavy equipment operator and as a cabinet maker.
He was a member of Walkerville Baptist Church, attended the Senior Adult Sunday School Class, served on multiple committees through the years and played the bull bass fiddle.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Iris Guy Courson; a son, Michael Smart and his siblings, E.L. (Mary) Courson, Glenda Faye Batten and Pearl (Cecil) Murray.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Judy Freeman Smart Courson, Blackshear; four children, Tammy Williams (husband Mark), Fernandina Beach, FL, Randy Courson (wife Debra), Blackshear, Tony Courson (wife Pam), Blackshear and Robert Smart (wife Susan), Winter Haven, FL; nine grandchildren, Chelsea Steverson and Christopher Steverson (wife Abigail), both of Waycross, Makayla Bennett (husband Tyler), Douglas, Miranda Courson, Jackson Courson, Monica Bennett (husband Dustin) and Brittney Brunner, all of Blackshear, Marcia Williams, Lake City, FL and Brittney Gaskins (husband Rowland), Macclenny, FL; seven great-grandchildren, Michael Henry Steverson, Rylynn Bennett, Cambri Bennett, Bryson Brunner, Madi Holland, Ryland Gaskins and Kai Gaskins; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dwain and Belinda Lewis, Blackshear, Tom and Eileen Freeman, St. Augustine and Barbara Freeman, Waycross and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Walkerville Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, from the Walkerville Baptist Church.
Interment will follow in the Walkerville Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501 or to Walkerville Baptist Church, 3000 Walkerville Road, Blackshear, GA 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
