The Reverend Robin Courtney, Jr., pastor of St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Madison, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly on October 25, 2017 at the age of 55. Father Courtney was a sensitive and compassionate priest who was deeply devoted to his parishioners, his family, his neighbors and his friends.
Raised in Columbia, Tennessee, Father Courtney attended Columbia Academy, where he was Valedictorian of his graduating class in 1980 and then graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1984 with a degree in sociology and related work in the fields of mathematics and religious studies. He was active in campus religious organizations and the Mortar Board Senior Honorary Society, while also being involved in student government.
Father Courtney was employed in several banking positions at Nashville City Bank, Dominion Bank of Middle Tennessee and First Union National Bank in Nashville during the early years of his professional life. He left banking as Vice President in 1993 to enter Virginia Theological Seminary, an Episcopal divinity school in Alexandria, Virginia, where he graduated in 1996 with a Masters in Divinity degree.
Father Courtney was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church in June, 1996 and was priested in April, 1997. He served congregations in Manchester, Spring Hill, Nashville and Madison, Tennessee and was also involved in Hospice ministry assisting families and patients dealing with terminal illnesses.
The son of the late Robin and Lucille Courtney of Columbia, Tennessee, Father Courtney is survived by his brother Richard Gordon Courtney (Elizabeth); and sister Elizabeth Currey Courtney of Nashville, Tennessee and sister Gale Courtney Moore (Richard) of Columbia, Tennessee. He is also survived by his nephews: William Moore, Jr (Kara) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Courtney Armstrong Moore of Columbia Tennessee; Robin Ellis Copple of New York, New York and Thomas Patrick Seigenthaler Courtney of Nashville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his niece Adeline Armstrong Courtney and aunts Elizabeth Myers Queener and Cleo Cowan of Nashville. He was predeceased by his aunt, Alyne Queener Massey.
The Right Reverend John Bauerschmidt, Bishop of Tennessee, will preside over Father Courtney’s funeral, to be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, Tennessee on Friday, October 27 at 3:00 P.M. Burial will follow in St. John’s Churchyard, Ashwood. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. Friday, also at St. Peter’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Russell Pet Rescue, 1300 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, Tennessee 38401. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
