Rose Mary Koonce

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Rose Mary Koonce, who left this world peacefully on September 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Rose was a beacon of love and warmth to all who knew her.

Rose was born on January 14, 1936, in Shubuta, Mississippi, to George Sr. and Dora Woodard who instilled in her the values of kindness, resilience and education. They would affectionately call her “Rosa Mae”. In 1939, her parents left Mississippi and moved to Mobile, Alabama. They built their first home in Pichard, Alabama a suburb of Mobile. In search for a better life away from the segregated deep south, her parents decided to move to Albany, New York. Rose, her parents and her siblings started a new life in Abany. There her education continued to grow through the Albany public school system.

On June 29, 1954, she graduated from Phillip Schuyler High School with a Regents Diploma, an achievement that made she and her family very proud. Rose met the love of the life Samuel Koonce during her time at Phillip Schuyler High School and by May 3, 1956, they were married. Of this marriage came three wonderful loving children, Brenda, Pamela, and Robert Koonce. She spent 11 wonderful years with the children at home. She always said the years spent with her children were so precious and she was grateful to have a hard-working husband who supported the family so she could have that opportunity.

Rose worked at the Sacred Heart Convent of Kenwood, NY for 29 years part-time, and full-time as the director of Environmental Services. The Nuns there became family as they were very supportive and provided the same love for the children. They were always willing to help when it was needed.

After getting the children through High School, College and Graduate School, Rose and Samuel decided to travel the world. They traveled to many places including Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Rose loved to travel and learn about different cultures. She documented her trips with video recordings and many many pictures.

Rose's life was a tapestry of love, compassion, and strength. She was a woman of faith and found solace in her church community at Emmanuel Baptist, where she was an active and cherished member. Her kindness and generosity extended beyond her family, as she was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Rose joined and was baptized at Temple Baptist Church in 1962. She became a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in a merger of the two churches in 1969 and remained a member for the duration of her life.

Samuel and Rose were married for 70 wonderful years, and they loved each other even longer. Rose would always talk about how loving, caring, and supportive her marriage was over the years. She would always say, “I married the man who was the most endearing and caring husband and the most loving father ever”. Her father, George Woodard, Sr. would often remind her of the same.

Rose was predeceased by her parents George Woodard, Sr. and Dora Woodard, her sister Catherine Brown, her brothers, Douglas Wayne Woodard and George Woodard, Jr., her beloved nephew “Ken Ken”, and her dear son Robert Koonce, with whom she shared a lifetime of cherished memories.

Throughout her 90 years, Rose touched the lives of many with her gentle spirit and unwavering dedication to her family. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 70 years, whose unwavering love was a testament to their beautiful journey together. Rose is also survived by her beloved daughters, Brenda Nixon and Pamela Stephens, who were the pride and joy of her life.

Her legacy continues through her four cherished grandchildren, Ashley Rose Dunbar, Blake Stephens, Melvin Bernard Nixon, and Symone Stephens who brought immense joy to her days. She was also blessed to have 3 years of precious moments with her great-grandson Aaron Robert Enous.

Rose also leaves behind her siblings, Evangelist Geneva Conway Jurisdictional Conway, Evangelist Geraldine Brandon, Ethel Mae Locke, David Bruce Woodard and William Louis Woodard whom she loved and adored very much.

Though she is no longer with us, Rose Mary Koonce's spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her. Her love, wisdom, and warmth will live on, inspiring those she leaves behind to carry forward her legacy of grace and kindness.

Visitation 10:00am-11:00am, followed by 11:00am Celebration of life will be Wednesday October 21, 2026, at Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street Albany, NY 12210. Interment to follow service Evergreen Memorial Park 2150 Central Ave Schenectady, NY 12304.