Mrs. Lola Blondel Koonce

Mrs. Lola Blondel Rivers (Elder) Koonce the daughter of Estelle Rivers and Taylor Elder was born in Crockett County on March 4, 1916. She was brushed by angels at approximately 8:15 a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2012, at Jackson - Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. She was an only child. Ms. Blondel, as she was known by her students, friends and family, accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of Midgett Chapel United Methodist Church, now known as Lighthouse U M Church. She was the church secretary for many, many years; sang in the choir and served in other areas when needed or asked. Ms. Blondel was also active in her community serving on the Board of Trustees for the Crockett County Memorial Library; served the Crockett County Election Commission as an election judge; helped to supply commodities to the citizens of the county. Her car; her home; her household budget was used on many occasions to meet the needs of friends and citizens. She paid the parks (E.D. Brown Park) electrical bill at its beginnings. Nothing was enough when helping others for Ms. Blondel. Education was always a valued commodity. She completed her elementary and high school years in the public schools of Crockett County. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee and began her long teaching career throughout Crockett County - namely, the Porters Grove community, the Maury City community, and the Alamo community at Central High School and the Alamo Elementary School. Many remember affectionately - My First Grade Teacher. Ms. Blondel believed Reading is FUNdamental to success. She not only taught her students to read but encouraged them to become a lifelong reader as she was. Working crossword puzzles was one of her pastimes. Lola Blondel Rivers was united in holy matrimony to the late Curts D. Koonce, Sr. on June 21, 1942. She became a Widow in December of 1994. To their union - two (2) children were born. She was a devoted wife, loving mother a nurturing grandmother/great-grandmother, an aunt, and a friend to the community. Ms. Blondel leaves to cherish her memory: One daughter, Carolyn (Harold) Nance of Alamo, Tennessee; one son; C. D. (Gayle) Koonce, Jr., of Danville, Illinois. Six Grandchildren: Denise (Darrell) Pierce of Austin, Texas; Chonsenette Bates of Joliet, Illinois; H. Donald (Rosalind) Nance) Jr. of Cordova, Tennessee; C. Dean Koonce, III, of Conway, Arkansas; Lawrence Dean (Shinina) Nance of Thousand Oaks, California, and Morgan C. Koonce of Bloomington, Illinois. Nine great-grandchildren: Erikson Hall, Danielle and Darolyn Pierce, Kasi Bates, DeAndra Pierce; Donalyn, Jocelyn, Harold Nance III, (Trey) and Caleb Koonce Nance; one God-daughter Francina Bowen of Alamo, Tennessee and her son Sidney Williams of Chattanooga, Tennessee and a Community of former students, cousins, friends and the Lighthouse (Midgett Chapel) United Methodist Church family.

Mrs. Lola Blondel Koonce

March 4, 1916 - August 16, 2012