Jun 20, 2026

Opal Phyllis Smith Courtney, age 85, of Morristown, TN passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

As a girl, Phyllis dreamed of her own school where all children were cherished and accepted. When she made Mother Goose Playschool a reality in 1968, the Lord used her teaching talent and extraordinary empathy to joyfully serve a generation of Morristown pre-schoolers for the next two decades.

Phyllis was a long-time member of First Baptist Church where she could often be found in children’s ministry or the Schneitman Sunday School class. She was an early member Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC), an officer in Business and Professional Women (BPW) and American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), and a past worthy matron in the Order of the Eastern Star.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac D. Courtney; son, Dedrick Andrew Courtney; parents, Nannie Pearl Eidson and Conner A. Smith, of Surgoinsville; and brothers, Paul and Bob Smith.

She is survived by her daughter, Lesa Courtney (Scott) Baker of Dandridge; daughter-in-law, Stacy Nanney Courtney (Mark) Fronczek of Lenoir City; and beloved niece, Valorie Smith (Tim) Calton of Morristown; grandchildren, Caroline Courtney (Tyler) Brown, Claire Courtney Hindman (Stefan) Luetkehans, Isabelle (Dallas McCash) Baker, Conner Courtney, Chloe Courtney; step-grandson, Zach Fronczek; great-grandchildren, Tucker Hindman, Aidan Brown, and Franklin and Charleigh Luetkehans; siblings, Shirley Smith (Dan) Brown and Douglas Smith, both of Surgoinsville, and several dear nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Phyllis leaves a legacy of Christlike compassion, faithfulness, resilience, and hope. She nurtured her family, served her church and community and brought out the best in every life she touched.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Mayes Mortuary with the funeral service to follow at noon.

Family and friends will then meet at 1:45 p.m. at Hamblen Memory Gardens for a 2:00 p.m. interment.

The family is grateful for the excellent guidance of Covenant Home Hospice and the kindness of caregiver Sherry Lamb. Special gratitude to Nikki Calton, great-niece, for her faithful, unwavering service to Phyllis in her time of need.

Mayes Mortuary is honored to serve the Courtney family.

“My day is complete; I heard a child laugh.”