Courtney twining Guffin

Courtney Twining Guffin, a vigorous and cheerful wife, mother, and friend to many, passed on Friday, March 21, 2014, at the young age of 94. Her family and numerous acquaintances who have been so positively influenced by her life will miss her greatly.

Courtney was born March 1, 1920, in Birmingham, Ala., to Geraldine Renshaw Turner Twining and Fredrick Howard Twining, their youngest of three daughters. Her given name was Nanny Courtney, but she quickly dropped the Nanny. However, when agitated, her mother would loudly call, "Nanny Court!"

In her "first youth," she enjoyed outdoor activities, including swimming (especially in the Cahaba River in Alabama), attending church camps and functions, playing baseball, and enjoying the hills around Red Mountain and Highland Park Golf course near her home in Birmingham. She was also very active in youth activities at South Highland Presbyterian Church and attended Ramsey High School. She attended Birmingham Southern College, graduating with a B.S. in education in 1942. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and this year was honored as a 75-year member (1939-2014).

While at Birmingham Southern she met the love of her life, Julian Webster Guffin, whom she dated until he left to join the Army Air Corps, precursor to the U.S. Air Force, during World War II. Courtney taught high school physical education and science in Boaz, Ala., until, against her mother's wishes, she took a train to meet Julian in Coffeyville, Kan., where he was stationed as a fighter pilot trainer. They married there on her birthday, March 1, 1943, and thus began her journey as wife and mother. She and Julian moved to Texas in 1947 and lived mostly in the Houston area for the next 57 years.

Courtney turned the raising of three boys into a daily adventure. During this "second youth," she participated with Fred, Warren, and Gordon in Cub Scouts, school projects, Little League baseball, church outings and activities, and countless other sources of fun. She was also an outstanding cook and perfected the concept of Southern hospitality. She was very involved in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Houston and for many years, with her dear friend Zenaide Lyon, assisted in the ongoing program known as Longtimers, which provided transportation, fellowship, entertainment, and dinner for senior citizens. She also enjoyed golf with many friends and played often, especially after the boys left home and she and Julian moved to their home on the golf course in Panorama Village, Texas.

Courtney was an excellent Bridge player and enjoyed dinner gatherings with friends to play her specialty card game, Hot Rum, which also became a lively family tradition. Hot Rum is still played with vigor today by sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren alike. Courtney's grandchildren affectionately called her GranG (grandmother G), a name she loved, even after developing Alzheimer's disease in the late 1990s. In the midst of this destructive illness, she kept her smile, good attitude, and her ability to make new friends as she gracefully transitioned to her "third youth."

After Julian suffered a stroke in December, 2003, he and Courtney moved to Missoula, hometown of their son Warren. After a short stay at Hunter's Glen, they moved to The Springs. Julian passed away in November, 2006, but Courtney remained at The Springs, bringing sunshine and a distinctive Texas twang into the lives of her extended family in Missoula, as well as the people and caregivers she met every day. We will be forever grateful for her witty humor, her winning smile, and her readiness to interact with other residents and visitors to The Springs.

Our family will also be forever grateful for the loving care and attention Courtney received from the compassionate nurses, aides, and staff at The Springs, as well as from the other residents and their families. We would also like to thank Hospice of Missoula, Dr. Peter Szekely, Chad Glass of Positive Outlooks Physical Therapy, and all the other "angels" who added to Courtney's quality of life.

Courtney's faith in and dependence upon the Lord Jesus was always a hallmark of her life. She now has the joy of being with Him in paradise and we, her family, are grateful for and comforted by this knowledge. We will miss her gentle spirit.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, J. Fred Guffin (Lori Gillet Guffin) of Atlanta, Ga., Warren Guffin of Missoula, Gordon Guffin (Carolyn Dorr Guffin) of Galveston, Texas, and Jan Guffin of Missoula. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Tim Guffin (Mary Hein), Katie Guffin, and Jordan Guffin, all of Missoula, Jenny Guffin Sousa (Mike Sousa, Jr.) of Lafayette, Calif., Troy Julian Guffin and Jessica Guffin Carner (Erik Carner) both of Galveston. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Zoe Guffin, Mia Guffin, Kiel Guffin, Ian Guffin, Quinn Sousa, Luke Sousa, and Zane Carner.

She is preceded in death by her husband Julian Webster Guffin (2006) and her sisters, Grace Eldridge Twining Eads (1971) of Raleigh, N.C., and Geraldine Frederica Twining (Sus) (2005) of El Cajon, Calif.

A celebration of Courtney's life and an expression of appreciation to all those who knew her will be held on Wednesday, March 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Springs. We will have refreshments, open arms, and remembrances of this great woman in the main fireplace room
Read Courtney Guffin's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.