Dr. Vaneda H. Courtney, who served The Foursquare Church in various leadership capacities for many decades, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2010. Sister Courtney would have been 100 years old in January.
Sister Courtney labored alongside her husband, Howard P. Courtney, for almost seven decades. After she graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College (now known as Life Pacific College) in 1932, she and Dr. Howard Courtney co-pastored churches in Wisconsin, Indiana, and California; they also served as supervisors of the Great Lakes District. In 1944 the Courtneys moved to Los Angeles, and Howard Courtney became the general supervisor, director of missions, and, later, vice president—posts that he held for many years.
In all of those positions, Sister Courtney was actively engaged; she effectively ministered across the U.S. and around the world. The Courtneys pastored Angelus Temple in the 1950s as well as in the 1970-80s.
The Courtneys were completely “Foursquare,” but they were active in and highly renowned in ecumenical circles. Their ministry was distinguished by an amazing emphasis on Holy Spirit baptism; they saw hundreds of thousands introduced to the fullness of the Spirit. Sister Courtney was a gifted and anointed preacher of the Word—and she gave herself wholeheartedly to ministry for almost 80 years.
The memorial service information is as follows:
November 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Media City Foursquare Church
269 E. Providencia Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502
The public graveside service information is as follows:
Thursday November 11, 2010
Viewing: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Graveside: 3:00 p.m.; McPherson Plot
Forest Lawn–Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA 91205
Dr. Howard Courtney preceded her death in 2000; the couple had one child, Rev. Howard P. Courtney, Jr. who went to be with the Lord on June 25, 2009. Sister Courtney is survived by three grandsons: Howard Courtney III, Bert Courtney and Joseph Courtney (Susan); her daughter-in-law Mary Ruth Courtney; four great grandchildren: Nicola (Chad), Caleb (Jenna), Zachary, and Heather; and one great-great grandson, William. Please pray for the surviving family members and Sister Courtney’s many friends as they walk through this time of loss.
