Joy Courter

Joy Ann Courter, age 80, resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully to her Heavenly home on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at her residence.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Zion Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kevin Gaunce officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joy was born on January 23, 1944, in New York, New York, to the late Victor Varrial and the late Victoria Varrial. She and her husband, William “Bill” Courter, were devoted members of Zion Presbyterian Church since 2009. Joy was a dedicated follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, teaching Sunday school classes for most of the last 62 years.

An adventurous spirit, Joy loved flying around the United States, as well as some stops in Canada and Mexico, with her husband, Bill, in a four-seater airplane and camping with him in over 40 states. She embraced the outdoors and kept up with her boys by sharing them water skiing, snow skiing, hiking, and white-water rafting. Above all, Joy loved the Lord deeply and will be missed by all who knew her.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her sons, Tim (Amy) Courter of Seattle, WA, and Dan (Donna) Courter of Baton Rouge, LA; and her grandchildren, Ben Courter, Nate Courter, Isaac Courter, Ethan Courter, and Lucy Courter.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Thomas Quinn, Jon Kelley, Dale Bryant, Ryan Jensen, Dr. Joe Moore, and Rik Talley.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the friends and caregivers who provided support and comfort during her final days.  The provisions from God’s forever family were phenomenal.

Sweet Joy’s unwavering faith, adventurous spirit, and loving nature will forever remain in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.