Edith Marie Koonce

Edith “Edie” Koonce, 83, passed away peacefully on March 9th, 2020, at her home near Warrior, Alabama, after a long battle with Alzheimers. Her life celebration service will be held at 10:00a.m. on March 12th at Ridouts Funeral Home, Gardendale, followed by a short internment service at Stewart Cemetery in Lincoln County, Tennessee.

Edith Marie Collier was born on August 11, 1936, in Birmingham, Alabama, to R.J. and Lucille Collier. Together with her brother Sonny and her sister Janice, Edie lived in Coalburg, Alabama for most of her childhood. Edie was close to her uncles, aunts, and cousins, particularly Joyce Carlisle of Gardendale. Edie’s father R.J. was the founder and long-time pastor of Coalburg Baptist Church. Edie graduated from Minor High School in 1954. She married Ernest Tucker in 1955. They raised three children, Terrell, Duane, and Denise Tucker. She remarried on January 25th, 1988, to Jerry Koonce and they lived together in their home near Warrior for the past 28 years.

Edie was a working mother for most of her adult life, being employed in the banking and financial industry for years. She retired from Southern Natural Gas (SONAT) in 1992. In her early years, Edie was a gifted artist, selling hand-painted home decorations and statues. Later in life she became an honored Home Interiors and Princess House reseller, touching the lives of countless women and families throughout central Alabama. During the past few years, Edie dedicated her life to caring for her Great Granddaughter Kalie Blalock.

Edie’s true passions were gardening and cooking, both of which she excelled at. Her unparalleled landscaping skills drew visitors each Spring and Summer to marvel at the never-ending and constantly changing displays of color in her yards. In the kitchen, Edie would delight friends and family with her traditional southern dishes as well as new creations inspired by countless hours of watching televised cooking shows.

Edie is survived by husband Jerry Koonce, her three children: Terrell Tucker of Hayden, Duane Tucker of Columbia, MD, and Denise Tucker Nelson of Jasper; Four step children: Roxanna Koonce Davis of Chicago, IL, Kelly Koonce Wunderlick of Naperville, IL, Jerry Koonce of La Porte, IN, and Jody Koonce Brutsman of Charlotte, NC; Brother Shirland “Sonny” Collier of Warrenton, Oregon, and sister Janice Collier Colvert of Mount Olive, AL. She is also survived by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

"Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there. It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away.” - Ray Bradbury

Edie has taken her last journey to Heaven to be with her parents and to tend to the greatest gardens of all. She will be looking down with pride and joy as she watches her gardens on Earth blossom each Spring to celebrate her life. She will forever be remembered, missed and loved.

A celebration of life visitation for Edith will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071. A celebration of life service will occur Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071. A burial will occur.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Koonce family.