Courtney Brianne Whaley, 24, died Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Courtney's memorial service will be 7:30 PM Thursday July 1, 2021 in the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, NC. The family will receive visitors immediately before the service from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Born at Onslow Memorial Hospital on June 30, 1996 and passed away on June 27, 2021. She was nearly 25 years old. She lived with her sister, Brittany Whaley in Richlands, NC. She is survived by her parents, Allen and Sandra Whaley, her sister Brittany Whaley, her brother Zachary Whaley, and grandmothers, Lois Kennedy and Ruth Jarman.

Courtney was a very happy child who loved and cared for all things. She was always laughing. She was the top student in her class from Kindergarten through college. She attended Southwest Onslow High School in Jacksonville, NC where she held the number one rank in her class all four years, and was named Class of 2014 Valedictorian. She received many accolades, one of them being the Wendy's High School Heisman. She then attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC where she obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. She was named one of the top five students in that program. Success in all aspects of life was something she never stopped working to achieve. After college she became a Labor and Delivery nurse at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. She then worked for Naval Medical Center at Camp Lejeune, NC. Labor and Delivery was her favorite specialty.

As a child and teenager she played competitive level soccer. She played defensive back and central midfield, and most often led her team in assists due to her field vision and passing ability. She was named "Best Passer" on the Southwest Onslow High School Varsity soccer team, and was given the Sportsmanship Award at The Brittany Memorial High School Soccer Showcase. She helped her team reach the State Championship two times, taking the title the second time. She also played competitive club soccer simultaneously, where she achieved much of the same success. In her down time, she officiated youth soccer games at the local soccer club.

Courtney knew from an early age that she wanted to take care of others in some way, and was always willing to help. She also had the goal of experiencing as much as possible in life. She went hiking through various mountains, ziplining, sky diving, jet skiing, snorkeling with exotic fish and sea turtles, paddle boarding, white water rafting, horseback riding, and more. While she wanted to see absolutely everything that God has created on earth, her most favorite place to be was with family or at the Southeastern North Carolina Beaches. That is where you would find her on a warm day.

Courtney was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, friend, and colleague. She was the bright light in any situation, in any room. She brought the fun everywhere she went, and her beautiful, big smile would make everyone else smile. Her infectious laugh would make everyone else laugh. She was an absolute treasure in this world, tragically taken too soon, and she will be forever missed.