Courtney "Kristie" Kristen Gunn

Courtney Kristen Gunn, “Kristie” age 50, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on June 13, 2024. She was born in Stockton, California on September 28, 1973. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree. Her career began as a teacher and she later moved on to medical billing and office management. She had a big personality and was referred to as a sparkly unicorn by her friends. Unicorns are considered pure and noble creatures, emblematic of grace, innocence and magic. This is certainly applicable to her. Kristie was a lover of all creatures. She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister and friend.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Lois Hoffman Best, paternal grandmother Jean Campbell White and the man she always called “her person”, Robert Mark Stroud.

She is survived by her daughter, Hannah Madeline Wright, parents, Lawrence Frederick and Tyra Best Gunn, brother, Michael Todd Gunn (Tammy), maternal grandfather Willie H. Best (Rachael), paternal grandfather Philip F. Gunn (Marilyn), her second mother and aunt, Terry Best Williams (Johnny), aunts, Parker Elizabeth Best, Linda Gunn Burgess (Jim), Brenda Gunn Oxford (David), uncles William Wood Best, Steven Wayne Gunn and Thomas Mark Gunn (Joanne), as well as many nieces and a nephew.

At Kristie’s request, we are celebrating her life with a sparkling unicorn drop-in, to be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, between 3 and 6 PM, at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach Chapel. A small memorial service will be held at a future date in South Carolina, for immediate family.

Kristie asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital or the Jacksonville Humane Society.