Courtney Marie Thomas, age 23, passed away peacefully at her residence July 29, 2017. She was an Honor Graduate of Harriman High School where she excelled in basketball. She graduated from Roane State Community College where she obtained her Associate Degree. And at the time of her passing she was a student at Bryan College where she was studying Christian Ministry. Courtney professed Christ at an early age and was a member of Williams Chapel AME Zion Church, later she re-dedicated her life and was baptized on July 16, 2016. She was a former member of Williams Chapel Youth Choir, where she helped with the kitchen committee, and any other special events at the church, she was always willing to help when asked. Survivors include her mother: Tracy Thomas; father: Garland Cregg Upton; beloved grandmother who along with her father raised her: Barbara Upton; aunts: Candace Sanders and Yvonnca Landes; sisters: Ashley Johnson and Brittany Upton; brothers: Josh Walden, Dallas Upton, Christian Upton and Dallas Dyer; nephew: Cavion Commage; nieces: Keeley Cleveland, Mackenzie and Jocelyn Walden; special aunt and uncle: Carolyn and Herb Griffin;
special cousins: Jill Johnson, Cora Linson, Spencer Anderson and Jim Little; specials friends: Damita Eskridge, Janice Kilgore, Melissa Morton, Roy Boyd and Denard Bertram; a host of favorite great-aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends in the Harriman community. The family will receive friends from 11 am to 1 pm Friday, August 4, 2017 in the chapel of Evans Mortuary in Rockwood. Funeral will follow at 1 pm. Graveside and concluding services will follow in the Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood. Memorial gifts can be sent to Evans Mortuary to help the family with funeral expenses.