Ben Carter Courts

Chapel Hill, NC. - Ben Carter Courts was born January 24, 1928, in Reidsville, NC. He passed away August 28, 2011 at the age of 83. He was one of six children. Ben served for two years in the U.S. Armys Signal Corps during the Korean War from 1950-1952. He received an AB in Physical Education and then went on to receive a BS in Pharmacy at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1957. Ben Courts met Ellyn Gardner of Gibson in a chemistry lab while both were in the School of Pharmacy at UNC- Chapel Hill. They were happily married for 55 long years as he would say. They bought the Eubanks Drug Store in Chapel Hill in 1964 and named it Courts Drug Store which was opened for 14 years. He was very dedicated to his customers and would open up his store at all hours to help people in their time of need. He also worked as a Pharmacist at McPhersons Hospital for 5 years and worked for 7 years at Kerr Drug and Revco. The funeral will be held at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC at 3:00 pmWednesday August 31, 2011, followed by visitation from 4:00- 6:00 pm. The interment will be held Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:00 am at The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery in Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife Ellyn Marie Courts; sister Sara Courts, brother Andy Courts; two children Mary Beth Courts Montgomery and husband Bob of Fuquay Varina and Kathy Courts Mitchell of Staley, NC; and two grandchildren Erin Haines of Little Washington, NC and Ben Courts of Raleigh, NC. Ben was a very strong willed man, loved and cared for many. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a die hard UNC fan. He enjoyed making people laugh and would do anything to help another. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, or anything that would keep him from having to iron, cook, or clean. He was a member and an elder at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. Ben was a member of the Riverside Hunt Club on Haw River, near ChickenRiverBridge in ChathamCounty. Ben would call it the Chatham Hilton. He was also a member of the American Legion and CHICO. From the family to our beloved Ben Carter Courts, You are perfect in our eyes. We love and miss you. Rest in Peace Dad. In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations to be made to Florence Gray Soltys Adult Day Health Program, P.O Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC, 27278.