Courtney Risner Earnest died Wednesday, March 15, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, in Kansas City, Missouri 64113. The service will also be livestreamed and can be accessed using this link, www.cccckc.org/private-events.
Courtney was born October 30, 1942, to Orvis Allen Risner and Johnny Pauline Yager Risner. She graduated from Edmond High School and Oklahoma State University. She and her former husband, Jim Earnest, raised two children together, Ashley and Matthew.
Courtney was actively involved in countless organizations. She served her community with her time and talents and consistently contributed to many philanthropic causes.
She served on many boards including, Powell Gardens Board of Directors; The Children’s Place Board Chairman; KU Advancement Board of Trustees; she was the first woman elected to Carriage Club Board of Directors; and at Country Club Christian Church, she served as an Elder for more than 30 years and a Deacon for nine years prior.
Courtney was an active member of many organizations where she dedicated countless hours over her lifetime. Those include, Pi Beta Phi; Junior League of Kansas City; Children’s Relief Association; Children’s Mercy Hospital; Pembroke Hill School; Kansas City Community Gardens; Children’s TLC; Rose Brooks; Kansas City Camerata; The Salvation Army; Society of Fellows at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; The Wornall House; Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired; The Rose Society.
She was a master gardener and loved being outside. Her own garden was a breathtaking oasis, a place she felt close to God. Courtney was a wonderful cook; she loved spicy foods and home-grown tomatoes. She had a rare palette and could name the exact ingredients in any dish. She worked on many Kansas City cookbooks and loved to entertain family and friends throughout her adult life.
Courtney’s friendships reached far and wide. She was a strong, loving friend and had a positive impact on others. She was fun and always up for an adventure, a new experience and loved learning and meeting new people. Courtney will be remembered for her sense of style, her effortless elegance and most importantly, her beautiful spirit.
Courtney’s pride and joy was her family. She found love again with her “special friend,” Ken, was so proud of her two children and cherished her five grandchildren. She was everything to us – she celebrated us, lifted us up, laughed and cried with us, she was always there…always. We deeply miss her, but her fierce love will sustain us forever.
Her Christian faith was the root of her strength. She handled her illness with poise, grace and dignity. Courtney never gave up, her positive attitude amazed and inspired everyone. In the face of adversity, she was an example to us all.
Courtney was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, King Allen Risner. She is survived by her daughter Ashley and her husband Joe Pindell; her son Matthew and his wife Melissa; her beloved soul mate Ken Fligg; her dear friends Jim and Pam Earnest; and the lights of her life, her five grandchildren, Jensen, Jess and Jordan Pindell; Taylor and Mitchell Earnest.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64113; or to Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO 64061.
