Dr. Katherine Koonce, 59, of Brentwood, TN, died on Monday, March 27, 2023. Katherine Anne Shirley Koonce was born December 18, 1963, in Baton Rouge, LA to Richard James Shirley and Anne Gueymard Shirley, growing up there and attending St. Joseph Catholic School and University High School before enrolling in Louisiana State University. After her freshman year, she transferred to Vanderbilt University where she graduated Cum Laude in Special Education (Severe and Profound Disabilities), and then began her career with the Susan Grey School at Vanderbilt. A year after marriage to Richard S. Koonce, III (Dick) of Nashville in 1986, Katherine moved with Dick to Atlanta then Marietta, GA where she worked in several special education settings and then a private high school, before establishing her own venture educating a small cadre' of high school students, all of whom graduated and entered college. Katherine joined Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, was baptized, and embraced the life of the church with an emphasis on student ministry. While working in Atlanta, Katherine earned a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. She also gave birth to her two children – David Winters Koonce (1990) and Anna Katherine Koonce (1996) - who are forever her greatest joy. In 1998, the family moved to Brentwood, TN (near Nashville). Katherine tutored students independently until accepting the position of Learning Services Director, and later the Academic Dean with Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville). Always an advocate for children of all ages, she innovated and lead many initiatives to equip and empower students in learning and life. During this time, she earned a Doctor of Education degree at Trevecca University, Nashville. Katherine became Head of The Covenant School in 2016 and immediately engaged in every arena of school life. During her tenure, Katherine expanded enrollment selectively by a third, upgraded athletic and arts programs and playground facilities, instilled high levels of professionalism and advancement for faculty, expanded new student programs including robotics and coding, implemented leadership roles for 5th and 6th grade students, and created school-based parent seminars for the Nashville community. She promoted an overlay of Timeless Truth, capturing specific truths about God and His ways in each subject. She was an incredibly generous person both in time and resources. Katherine instilled a school culture that values character, creativity, and relationship. She led the school successfully with continued enrollment growth through the pandemic months. She instigated safety protocols and law enforcement relationships. She implemented her belief that childhood is a phase of life to be valued and celebrated, not accelerated past. Katherine worshipped and grew during her long membership with West End Community Church, where she offered her heart and gifts over many years. She held a deep affection for the mission of Koinonia Church (Nashville), as well. On March 27, 2023, a violent attack on her school campus occurred. Despite practiced safety protocols that protected the great majority of students and faculty, three students and three school adults lost their lives, including Katherine who gave her life to protect the students she loved. Yet these records and accomplishments fail to capture the vibrant personality of Katherine Koonce. Katherine nourished a winsome and seasoned faith in Christ that pervaded every aspect of her life. Relationships were treasures to her, and she invested herself in every person she met. She was a supporter, encourager, counselor, cheerleader, rescuer. She actively fought against deceit, condescension, manipulation, and abuse. She loved well – individually, creatively, insightfully, tenderly, fiercely. Her many sources of pleasure included traveling, art, music, pickleball (surprisingly), meaningful conversation, and honoring others with extravagant parties and gifts. Those who knew her were drawn to her. Those she helped never forgot. She fostered deep and delightful friendships that left no one unchanged. We have been richly blessed by her life with us, ended all too soon. Katherine's family will participate in a private service of internment. The opportunity to visit with family will be offered Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37215. A Celebration of Life will take place Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church.
On March 27, 2023, Katherine Anne Koonce was killed along with 5 other; Michael "Mike" Hill, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Ladelle Scruggs, Evelyn Marie Dieckhaus, and William Joseph Kinney, lost their lives in thr Covenant Christian school shooting.
Thank CHRIS LE BLANC for sponsoring this memorial!!!!!
Dr. Katherine Koonce, 59, of Brentwood, TN, died on Monday, March 27, 2023. Katherine Anne Shirley Koonce was born December 18, 1963, in Baton Rouge, LA to Richard James Shirley and Anne Gueymard Shirley, growing up there and attending St. Joseph Catholic School and University High School before enrolling in Louisiana State University. After her freshman year, she transferred to Vanderbilt University where she graduated Cum Laude in Special Education (Severe and Profound Disabilities), and then began her career with the Susan Grey School at Vanderbilt. A year after marriage to Richard S. Koonce, III (Dick) of Nashville in 1986, Katherine moved with Dick to Atlanta then Marietta, GA where she worked in several special education settings and then a private high school, before establishing her own venture educating a small cadre' of high school students, all of whom graduated and entered college. Katherine joined Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, was baptized, and embraced the life of the church with an emphasis on student ministry. While working in Atlanta, Katherine earned a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. She also gave birth to her two children – David Winters Koonce (1990) and Anna Katherine Koonce (1996) - who are forever her greatest joy. In 1998, the family moved to Brentwood, TN (near Nashville). Katherine tutored students independently until accepting the position of Learning Services Director, and later the Academic Dean with Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville). Always an advocate for children of all ages, she innovated and lead many initiatives to equip and empower students in learning and life. During this time, she earned a Doctor of Education degree at Trevecca University, Nashville. Katherine became Head of The Covenant School in 2016 and immediately engaged in every arena of school life. During her tenure, Katherine expanded enrollment selectively by a third, upgraded athletic and arts programs and playground facilities, instilled high levels of professionalism and advancement for faculty, expanded new student programs including robotics and coding, implemented leadership roles for 5th and 6th grade students, and created school-based parent seminars for the Nashville community. She promoted an overlay of Timeless Truth, capturing specific truths about God and His ways in each subject. She was an incredibly generous person both in time and resources. Katherine instilled a school culture that values character, creativity, and relationship. She led the school successfully with continued enrollment growth through the pandemic months. She instigated safety protocols and law enforcement relationships. She implemented her belief that childhood is a phase of life to be valued and celebrated, not accelerated past. Katherine worshipped and grew during her long membership with West End Community Church, where she offered her heart and gifts over many years. She held a deep affection for the mission of Koinonia Church (Nashville), as well. On March 27, 2023, a violent attack on her school campus occurred. Despite practiced safety protocols that protected the great majority of students and faculty, three students and three school adults lost their lives, including Katherine who gave her life to protect the students she loved. Yet these records and accomplishments fail to capture the vibrant personality of Katherine Koonce. Katherine nourished a winsome and seasoned faith in Christ that pervaded every aspect of her life. Relationships were treasures to her, and she invested herself in every person she met. She was a supporter, encourager, counselor, cheerleader, rescuer. She actively fought against deceit, condescension, manipulation, and abuse. She loved well – individually, creatively, insightfully, tenderly, fiercely. Her many sources of pleasure included traveling, art, music, pickleball (surprisingly), meaningful conversation, and honoring others with extravagant parties and gifts. Those who knew her were drawn to her. Those she helped never forgot. She fostered deep and delightful friendships that left no one unchanged. We have been richly blessed by her life with us, ended all too soon. Katherine's family will participate in a private service of internment. The opportunity to visit with family will be offered Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37215. A Celebration of Life will take place Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church.
On March 27, 2023, Katherine Anne Koonce was killed along with 5 other; Michael "Mike" Hill, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Ladelle Scruggs, Evelyn Marie Dieckhaus, and William Joseph Kinney, lost their lives in thr Covenant Christian school shooting.
Thank CHRIS LE BLANC for sponsoring this memorial!!!!!
