Lois Maxine (Bratcher) Courtney

Lois "Maxine" Courtney was born in Fort Worth, Texas on February 18, 1937, to Irvin and Myrtle (Thom) Bratcher. She passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, September 7, 2023.

Lois grew up in the Fort Worth area and graduated from Handley High School in 1955. She met her husband, Bill, on a blind date in 1951 and they eloped on January 27, 1955, in Marietta, Oklahoma, not telling anyone of the marriage until after her high school graduation in May of that year. The two eventually settled in Joshua, Texas where they built a home and lived for over forty years. Bill and Maxine were married for 65 years until his death from Cancer in 2020.

Maxine cared for countless family members throughout the years and raised three daughters and three grandchildren. She was an avid bowler, playing in leagues and winning many trophies and patches. She enjoyed watching the birds from her sunroom and was an expert on plants and flowers. She frequently watched her great-grandchildren, introducing them to all of her favorite country music songs and soap operas.

Maxine loved to "go to the races" and could often be found on the infield at Texas Motor Speedway cheering on Carl Edwards. She always loved a good party, hosting family reunions, high school reunions, and many pool parties. Her cooking was well-known to family and friends and there was always a seat at her table for any visitor anytime. She meticulously documented her family history long before the internet and took hundreds of photographs over the years.

Mrs. Courtney, affectionately called Mema, was a mother to many and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William David Courtney, Jr.; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Whitlock. SURVIVORS: She leaves her daughters, Pamela Courtney, Elizabeth Barnes and her husband, Stephen; granddaughters, Michele Gortney and her husband, Derek, Krystal Brown and her companion, Chase Nunn; grandson, Matt Palmer; great-grandchildren, Mia Gortney, Noah Whitlock, Kennedy Gortney, Avery Gortney, and Riley Palmer; and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at https://www.cff.org/donate

or

to the American Cancer Society at https://www.donate.cancer.org

or call to donate at 1-800-227-2345.