Obituaries

Helen M. Koonce

Photo of Helen M. Koonce
Mrs. HELEN M. KOONCE, 93, of Little Rock, formerly of Hot Springs, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at her home. She was born on June 19, 1919. Helen was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, and friend. She was a lover of life. She worked hard and played hard. She loved to travel. She always said, "if you don't want me to go, don't invite me, because the answer is always yes!" She rode jet skis, drove a tractor, rode four-wheelers, and a dog sled late in her life. She never stopped going. A sign above her door described her, "Motto to live by: life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body but rather to skid sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming woo hoo, what a ride!" She never passed up an opportunity to help others. She always had a ‘never give up' attitude, that lasted up until the very end. She will be truly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Orland W. Koonce, her son Orland Jr., her grandson, Devon Koonce, four siblings, as well as numerous other relatives. She is survived by three children, Lloyd Koonce (Patty) of Albuquerque, N.M.; Jackie Jackson (Harold) of Florence, Texas; Dr. Thomas Koonce (Ashley) of Little Rock, Ark.; a sister, Dorothy Copeland (Doyle) of Longmont, Colo.; 11 grandchildren and their families; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and all her friends at Woodland Heights and in Hot Springs, Ark. Thanks to Dr. Tena Murphy for her loving care and special thanks to an angel on earth-Barbara Paige. Services will be at 3 p.m. today, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.) Visitation with the family will be prior to the service, beginning at 2 p.m. A memorial service will follow at a later date in the Chapel at Woodland Heights Independent Living. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CARTI Foundation at P.O. Box 55011, Little Rock, Ark. 72215. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Koonce's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Published February 10, 2013

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