Marcia L. Courbat

Marcia Louise Courbat, 96, of Melbourne, FL has gone on to her home in Heaven. After a long, but strong battle, she passed peacefully on Monday February 3, 2020. She was living in Americus, GA with her daughter, Cynthia (Cindi) Courbat-Cox, and daughter’s husband, William Henry Cox.

Marcia was born on May 16, 1923 in Fulton, NY. She was the daughter of George and Pearl Mitchell. She had a sister, Claire Button, and a brother, Clinton Osborne, both of whom preceded her in death. She was especially fond of her grandmother, Ida Howlett, who lived in her childhood home and watched over her while her mother worked. Ida passed from this world on December 26, 1955 after instilling wisdom, faith, meekness, kindness, home remedies, admirable virtues, subtle sophistication and a set of core values that remained ever present throughout Marcia’s long life.

Marcia met her husband, Charles (Charlie) Courbat, in high school. They were married on July 24, 1942. He served in the Army Air Corp during World War II as a pilot, an officer, and a radio/gunman. After the war, the couple moved to Madison, NY before eventually settling in Brevard County, FL.

Marcia aimed to become the best wife, the best mother, and the best homemaker. She was an active member of the local Extension Homemakers Club. She loved to sew and made beautiful intricate pictures with beadwork and needlepoint. She baked everything from scratch. She had the gift of hospitality. She loved gardening – growing flowers. On a trip out west in the early 70s, she collected huge rocks from every state, and once back home her husband, Charlie, made her a beautiful tropical rock garden in the front yard.

The couple found their peace on the water and spent much of their time fishing and relaxing at Lake Chatuge, a beautiful spot nestled in the mountains near Hiawassee, GA.

Marcia will be remembered most for her kindness, her gentle spirit and her commitment to serving others. She volunteered at every school her daughter ever attended. She was a Friend’s of the Library volunteer in West Melbourne for nearly two decades. For 15 years, and well into her 80s, she walked several blocks to volunteer at the Daily Bread Thrift Store. She attended His Place Ministries in Melbourne, FL and River of Life in Tifton, GA under the pastoral leadership of Terry Morris and Tina Gaines.

Her grandchildren called her “GiGi”. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Cindi) Courbat-Cox, and her husband, William Henry Cox, of Americus, GA; a grandson, Sean Michael David Sprouse of Sunrise, FL; and two granddaughters, Sandra Michelle Sprouse of Charlotte, NC and Christina Selesky White and her husband, J.P. White, of Cooper City, FL. She also is survived by four great-granddaughters, Carizma Caylee White, Serenity Sarah White, Selah Love Sprouse, and Eliana Grace Sprouse.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at His Place Ministries, 1824 South Harbor City Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901. Pastor Terry Morris will preside. Please do not wear black – Joy comes in the morning after a long dark night. There will be snacks and a covered dish gathering after the service.

In lieu of flowers, a Trust Account has been set up at Sun Trust Bank in her memory for the great-grandchildren’s higher education. Charitable donations can also be sent to His Place Ministries in her name.