Gertrude Koon

Gertrude Tabitha Rhodes Koon, age 98, of the "Y" Community near Rison, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2014. She was born on February 28, 1916, in Staves, a daughter to the late William G. Rhodes and Saline Shelton Rhodes. Mrs. Koon was reared and received her early education at Mullis School in the "Y" Community near Rison. She owned and operated the Rhodes Grocery Store of the "Y" Community near Rison until her retirement in 1962. As a member of the Rison United Methodist Church, she was past treasurer of the Wesleyan Service Guild; past secretary of the Ladies Sunday School Class and past president, treasurer and life member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was active in the community as an adult 4-H leader, member of the Cleveland County Extension Homemakers Club and the Rural Community Improvement Organization. This organization was responsible for the first "Y" Community Center Building. Mrs. Koon donated the land for that building and today it is the site of the "Y" Community Fire Department and the "Y" Community Center. She was a very loving and caring mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. She would always put everyone before herself. She will be truly missed by everyone who loved her. She had a special relationship to her caregivers in Curry Cottage of the Greenhouse Cottages of Southern Hills and the nursing staff. She loved them as her family. Mrs. Koon is preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Earl Franklin Koon, whom she married on October 26, 1941; four brothers, infant Rhodes, Amis Rhodes, Boyd Rhodes and Tollie Rhodes; three sisters, Delia Rhodes, Pearlie Rhodes Wilson and Maudie Rhodes Wilson. Mrs. Koon is survived by a daughter Mary Ann Powell and her husband James of the "Y" Community; granddaughter, Dr. Tamara Powell and her husband Dr. Richard Hutchinson of Kennesaw, Georgia; grandson, Thomas Powell and his wife Tiffany Powell of White Hall; two great granddaughters, Brooklyn Powell and Addison Powell of White Hall; many nephews, nieces and friends. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Rison United Methodist Church with Reverend Don Johnson officiating, burial will follow in Wilson Cemetery. Pallbearers are her nephews, Grady Wilson, Jewel Wilson, Frank Wilson, Trenton Rhodes, Gene Rhodes and Randy Rhodes. Visitation is 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2014 in the Buie Funeral Home Chapel in Rison. The family request memorials made to the Wilson Cemetery Association, 7870 Hwy 35 N., Rison, Arkansas 71665 or Rison United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 468, Rison, Arkansas 71665. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216. Online condolences at www.buiefuneralhome.com