Francine Costner

Francine Nolen Costner, age 86, of Green Creek, North Carolina passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022 at her home. Francine was born November 17, 1935 in Lincoln County, NC to the late Kenneth Earl Anthony and Evelean Houser of Crouse, NC.

Francine graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College (Appalachian State University) with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education and enjoyed a long and successful teaching career (30 years) in Spartanburg County School District 7, first at Park Hills Elementary, then at Jesse Boyd.

Francine married Joe Dean Costner on June 9, 1957; they would have celebrated 65 incredible years of marriage this summer. Francine and Joe have many happy memories of the years they lived in Spartanburg, South Carolina and summers spent in Boone, NC and Garden City, SC. She enjoyed the company of many close friends, including those from Bethel United Methodist Church, Circle, Retired Teachers of Jesse Boyd, and Shamrock Dance Club.

Francine and Joe moved to Green Creek, North Carolina in 1998 where she quickly made new and beloved friends as a devoted member of Green Creek First Baptist Church. She sang in the choir for many years, taught Sunday School, and supported the children’s ministry by volunteering in the nursery and helping with Vacation Bible School. In her spare time away from church, she enjoyed gardening and cooking.

Francine deeply loved her family and dedicated much of her later life to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Joe Dean Costner of Green Creek; sons, Michael Dean Costner of Green Creek, and Richard Houser Costner (Betsey True Costner) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; two adored grandchildren, Ivey Josette Costner and Grant Badger Costner; and her sister, Rosalind Nolen Welder (Carl Henline) of Lincolnton, NC.

The family will receive friends at 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Green Creek First Baptist Church, 534 Coxe Road, Columbus, NC 28722, with the memorial service following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to support the Children’s Ministry may be made to Green Creek First Baptist Church, 534 Coxe Road, Columbus, NC 28722.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel