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Annabelle Chipps Courtney, 90, died May 29, 2004, after several years of battling a progressively serious illness. Mrs. Courtney was born November 19, 1913, tenth of the thirteen children of John Melvin Chipps and Hettie Jane Cool Chipps of Dyer, West Virginia. A lifelong homemaker, Mrs. Courtney mastered many skills that were common in her youth but have since fallen into decline. She was an accomplished cook, gardener, seamstress, and quilter. She had a long-standing love of the patient art of fishing and was extremely proud of having caught a Citation Rainbow Trout on the Cranberry River at age 71. During her later years, she enjoyed painting in oils and pastels, developed a love of travel in the Southwest, was inspired by her exploration of Native American culture, and acquired her first driver's license at age 80. Married for nearly 55 years to Harold Dana Courtney, Sr., who preceded her in death, Mr. and Mrs. Courtney were longtime members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. Dividing her time between Fairmont, West Virginia, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the last decade of her life, she also attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. Mrs. Courtney is survived by a daughter, three sons, and five daughters-in-law, Patricia A. Courtney and Hilda Saavedra of Albuquerque, Odbert C. Courtney and Darla Treat Courtney of Charles Town, West Virginia; and Richard W. Courtney and Elizabeth Ford Courtney, Donald M. Courtney and Pamela Wilson Courtney, and Patricia Williams Courtney, all of Fairmont. One son, Harold D. "Buck" Courtney, Jr., preceded her in death. Mrs. Courtney's passing is mourned by seven grandchildren and five grandchildren-in-law; by seven great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; one brother: William Chipps; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends of all ages who will miss her smile, her humor, and her exceptional apple pies. In addition to her parents, her husband and her son, she was preceded in death by six sisters and five brothers. Mrs. Courtney's visitation and funeral were held at the Frey Home For Funerals in Fairmont, WV May 31 and June 1. Interment was in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to the family at e-mail address FHFF320@AOL.COM.
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