Dr. Maxwell Taylor Courson

Dr. Maxwell (Max) Taylor Courson, 84, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, February 20, 2021. He was the son of the late Maxwell Courson Sr. and Walton Courson-Moore. Also preceding him in death was his brother, John H. Courson.

Max is survived by Naomi, his wife; four children, Melinda Alonso (husband Felix Alonso), Dr. Sharon Kendrick (husband Dr. Mark Kendrick), James (Jim) Greenland, Shannon Greenland-Carter (husband Tim Carter); two grandchildren, Mary Katherine Riley, Felix Maxwell Alonso; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; his British Bombay black cat Sheena Queen of the Jungle. Max was a loyal beloved husband, true southern gentleman, devoted father who always had a listening ear and wise counsel to impart. Family members sought out his company.

Dr. Courson earned his bachelor and master degrees in the School of Journalism at the University of Georgia and his Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Hawaii. He was a veteran, member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and Lighthouse Sunday School Class, missionary, brother of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and longtime member of Fayetteville Kiwanis Club.

Professor of journalism and communication, Dr. Courson placed six students in internships with Cable News Network (CNN) in Washington D.C. He also taught Japanese students in summer orientation programs. A highly-recognized, successful author of several books, he also wrote numerous award-winning publications. He co-authored with his wife Coursons’ Complete Collection: Wire Service Copyediting Symbols, Capitalization, Abbreviations, Punctuation and Numbers, a text book used in journalism classes at University of South Florida. He mentored many aspiring writers; Dr. Courson is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Courson was News Director at WGGA radio station, Gainesville, GA; United Press International News Writer and Reporter, Raleigh, NC; Director of Public Relations, South Georgia College, Douglas, GA; Assistant Director of University Relations and Development, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI; Director of Alumni Affairs and Director of Publications, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, GA; University Relations Director, Furman University, Greenville, SC; Department Chairman and Associate Professor of Mass Communication, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN; Associate Professor at Lee University, Cleveland, TN; Associate Professor of Communicative Arts, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, NC; Adjunct Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses; Adjunct Professor in American Studies, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL.

He joined the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War era as SP-4 Public Information Specialist, Ft. Benning, GA., serving honorably.

Dr. Courson served as a missionary consultant to Assemblies of God International Media Ministries and Continental Theological Seminary, Brussels, Belgium, where he devised training programs in television production and rewrote journalism courses for IMM missionaries.

A Celebration of Life and graveside services to include honor guard will be held Sunday February 28, 2021, Hazlehurst, Georgia. Interment in Courson family gravesite, Hazlehurst City Cemetery, Hazlehurst, GA. Funeral arrangements by Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service, Fayetteville, NC, and Wainwright-Parlor Funeral Home, Hazlehurst, GA.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Lighthouse Sunday School Class Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Fayetteville, NC.