“Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
…Author unknown
We are here today to honor the memory of our beloved mother and grandmother, Hilda Mae Koontz.
Hilda Mae Perry was born on November 22, 1926 in Hertford, North Carolina and was the oldest daughter of 5 siblings. At 12 years old, Hilda lost her mother while she was picking cotton in the fields of their home. Hilda’s nurturing and maternal qualities shined early, as she assumed the roll of taking care of her brothers and sisters such as purchasing the first bicycles for her brother Hayward and sister Lillie Mae.
While working as a hostess at the Triangle at Four Corners in North Carolina, Hilda met the love of her life, Robert Virgil Koontz. When Robert first saw Hilda, he told his Marine buddy “I’m going to marry her”. They married in 1949 and soon started their family.
In 1950, their first child, Brenda Kay, was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In 1954, their second child, Elizabeth Ann, was born in Hialeah, Florida. Their third child, Martin Lee, was born in 1961 in Norfolk, Virginia. And in 1967, their last child, Jay Robert, was born in Orange, California. You might say that Hilda had a plan. With seventeen years between her first and last child … she had built-in babysitters. Robert and Hilda were married for almost 63 years at the time of Robert’s passing in 2012.
She was born poor and had a tough life, but the strength she obtained while working through life’s obstacles was unprecedented. As with most military families, being the wife of a marine and raising four children while dad was away on many tours of duty was no easy task. Mom always put her family’s needs in front of her own.
Hilda was one of the sweetest, caring and kindest person that you would ever hope to meet. She was the best mom and grandmother ever. Whenever one of her kids would have a problem, she would say “Honey, it’s going to be OK” … and it was!
She would have turned 92 years old this year. She had a great life and raised her children with love and compassion. Her children thank her every day for the life lessons she has taught us as well as the endless love that only a mother could provide.
Later in life, Hilda loved to be called Grandma by everyone. She will be missed, not only by family, but by everyone that was fortunate enough to meet her.
Hilda is survived by her four children: Brenda, Elizabeth, Martin and Jay and her five grandchildren: Jamie, Danielle, Nickolas, Chandler, and Kristopher.
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