Mary Koonce

Mary Franklin Koonce (Frankie), went to be with the Lord Monday, May 16, 2016 in Mansfield, Texas. Frankie was born in Dermott, Arkansas, to Rufus Franklin Henson and Ruby Sass Henson Hallaway on June 22, 1943. Memorial Service to be held on June 4, 2016 at Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Teague, Texas at 11am.




Frankie grew up and graduated high school in Arkansas. She later moved to the Houston area and lived there until she retired from Daniel Industry in 2002. Frankie and her husband of 25 years, Mack Koonce, moved to Fairfield, Texas, shortly after their retirement. Frankie enjoyed spending time with family, reading books and rescuing animals, especially stray cats.



Frankie is survived by her husband, Mack, of Fairfield, Texas; son Randy Paul Bates and wife Stacey of Arlington, Texas; daughter-in-law, Kim Bates of Veedersburg, Indiana; grandchildren, Stephen Bates, Sarah Burks and husband Tyler, Tami Rene Bates, Charlene Polasek; great grandchildren, Kelcie and Victoria Bates, Douglas Heatherly, Leyla Polasek, and Amie Racca; three sisters, Sylvia Wrobel and husband Darrell, Phyllis Wash and Murlene Ellis and husband Bert, all three of McGehee, Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.



Frankie was preceded in death by her son, Dudley Bates; father, Rufus Henson; mother, Ruby Sass Henson Hallaway; stepfather, Murl Hallaway; granddaughter Kathleen Polasek; brother James Alan Henson (Jimmy).



The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Frankie.