Lucille Koonce-Fulton, better known as Mama Lou – departed this life on June 9, 2018. She was born to the late Willie Frank Koonce and Mamie Lou Benson-Koonce on December 2, 1938 in Lenoir County, Kinston, NC. Lucille was educated in the Kinston Public Schools. Lucille moved to Albany, NY in the late 1950’s. She worked at the VA Hospital, as a cook, for 25 years and then Durham, as a school bus driver, until her illness.

Lucille attended various churches and denominations, however, in 1996 she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at New Covenant Christian Fellowship. She was a faithful member of NCCF for about 10 years. In 2006 she moved her membership to Mt Moriah Church where she remained until her passing.

Lucille was known as an exceptional cook, a people’s person, and a lover of flowers. Lucille also loved her family from the oldest to the youngest. She adopted two children and was the foster parent to one.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Donaldful (Jamal) Koonce; three daughters, Esther Koonce-Ryan, Brinda Avent, and Patricia Harvin; two adopted children, Tyree Koonce and Audrey Holder; one foster child, William Allen Baxter; twenty-two grandchildren; 18 greatgrandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; an aunt, Essie Jefferson; an uncle, Leroy; and a host of nieces and nephews, other family members and numerous friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Willie Koonce; and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Hughes.

The Wake will be held on Tuesday, June 19, from 10am-12p.m. at Mt. Moriah Church located at 262 Rte 9W, Glenmont, NY. The funeral service will immediately follow. Burial will take place at Evergreen Memorial Park, Inc., 2150 Central Avenue, Schenectady, NY. The Repass will take place at 4pm and will be held at VFW, 525 Delaware Avenue, Albany, NY.