Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 16, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Dawn Marr Courtney died Saturday, December 16, 2023.  She was born on June 18, 1939, in Wingate, NC.

Dawn grew up in Charlotte and attended Dilworth Elementary and Alexander Graham Middle School, where she made many lifelong friends. She graduated from high school and college in Miami, FL. As a youth, she was nurtured in faith at First Baptist Church (Charlotte) and Sharon United Methodist Church.  Dawn was the oldest of 6 siblings and known to them as a second mother.

In her early adult life, Dawn lived in Miami, FL and worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance and Home Indemnity of New York.  This is where she caught the attention of Tom Courtney while driving around town in her convertible Karmann Ghia.  Dawn and Tom began a courtship and were married in December of 1965.  The two relocated to Charlotte in 1969, where they raised their children Jerry, Mark and Margaret. In addition to her role of being a mother she worked for Ellison Insurance Agency.

Dawn was a do-er.  If you wanted something done everyone knew Dawn could take care of it! She had active roles in her children’s schools and she was the most loving mother and their biggest cheerleader.  Dawn was also blessed with an incredible sense of good taste and style. This inspired her to change her career path in her forties.  Her love of antiques and fine art influenced her to open an antique store called Mark Elliot, Ltd.  Until her passing, she continued working with antiques at a local store named Hamilton Stuart. She will be most remembered for the dedicated wife, mother, sister, friend, and best friend she was to so many.  Her nickname by many was Delta Dawn. If you truly knew her, you always wanted more of her: more wisdom, more wit, more one-liners, more love, more of…HER! Dawn had a strong will and if it were up to her, she would still be here with us. While her death was sudden, her family is grateful that her illness was short and that she did not suffer.  Dawn was heartbroken when she lost her husband Tom of 58 years, only three months ago.  Her family is comforted that they are reunited.

Dawn is survived by her loving children, Jerry Courtney and his wife, Sandy of Yardley, PA, Mark Courtney of Charlotte, and Margaret Courtney of Mt. Pleasant, SC; grandchildren, Ethan Courtney, Austin Courtney, Sienna Courtney and Courtney Selle.  Also surviving are her siblings, Gail Helms Phaup of Charlotte, NC, Bryan Helms and his wife, Lynn of Waxhaw, NC, Julian Helms, of Charlotte, NC, George Helms of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Rev. Dr. David Helms and his wife, Carolyn of Southern Pines, NC and Michael Helms and his wife, Treva of Waxhaw, NC along with many nieces and nephews, and countless friends who considered her like family.  She will be greatly missed by all.

A service to honor her life will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 5, 2024, in the Morrison Chapel at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Welcome Center.  The service will be livestreamed at: http://covenantpresby.org/live for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Dawn to United Cerebral Palsy, 8401 Courthouse Rd., Vienna, VA 22182. (https://ucp.org/)

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.