Sammye Koonce

Sammye Koonce, 89, of Park Hills, passed away peacefully January 28, 2025, at Presbyterian Manor in Farmington. She was born on April 20, 1935, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to the late Clarence and Bessie (Pace) Koonce. 

A dedicated and hardworking individual, Sammye began her career right out of high school, as a secretary at Southwestern Bell, where she dedicated 39 years of service before retiring in 1991. Even in retirement, her commitment to community service continued as she took on a role as secretary for the Mineral Area Baptist Association. 

Sammye was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Desloge, until her health interfered. She made a lasting impact as a Sunday School Director and an enthusiastic member of the church choir. Her creativity and passion for helping others touched many lives within her family as well as her church community.

She is survived by one sister, Patsy Barton; two nieces, Becky (Victor) Wilfong and Abby (Gene Osborne) Barton; great nieces and nephews, Ethan (Korey Byers) Orsburn, Michael Tucker, Payton Wilfong, Jeff (Amy) Wilfong, Austin (Madelyn) Wilfong, Garrett (Ashley) Wilfong, Allie (Matthew) McCartney, Joshua Barton and Jacob Barton; several other family members and friends also survive.

Visitation will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Monday, February 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM until the time of service of 1:00 PM. Dr. Bradford Laubinger will be officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Leadington. Memorials may be directed in honor of Sammye’s memory to the First Baptist Church in Desloge.