Margaretta Elaine Koonce

Margaretta Elaine Koonce, age 80, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on August 11th, 2024, in Conway, Arkansas. She was born on March 11th, 1944, in Conway to the late Henry D. Gray and Elsie Kathleen Lacewell Gray.

In 1962 she married Earl Wade Koonce who proceeded her in death in 1996.

Margaretta worked for the state of Arkansas for more than 20 years before retiring from the Conway Human Development Center. She spent the better part of her retirement with her partner of 14 years, JV Brady.

She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading autobiographies about various celebrities she followed throughout the years. She was a lover of music, especially old country and gospel. Her and JV enjoyed eating out at various restaurants around town, although she was an excellent cook when the time presented itself! Thanksgiving will not be the same without her cornbread dressing and giblet gravy!

Margaretta was proceeded in death by her husband Earl Wade Koonce, both parents, her son Eddie Earl Koonce and her eldest sister, Loretta McClain.

She leaves behind her partner, JV Brady. Her son Allen Wade Koonce. Her granddaughters: Alissa Koonce and Courtney (Todd) Kirkpatrick. Her siblings: Georgetta “Judy” Gossett, Tommy Gray, Carlton Gray, Darlene Harell, Rex Gray and Travis Gray. Two great grandsons, Quinten and Xavier and a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, August 17th at Smith Family Funeral Home in Conway, AR with services to follow at 11:00AM. She will be laid to rest next to her late husband in Plumerville, AR directly afterwards.