Cynthia Lorene (Quada) Koontz

Cynthia Lorene Quada Koontz, 68, of Jefferson, Texas, passed away peacefully at Longview Regional Hospital after a lengthy battle with COVID on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, surrounded by her family and minister.

Cynthia was born on February 21, 1953, in Atlanta, Texas and was raised in Jefferson, Texas. Cynthia graduated from Jefferson High School in 1971. Cynthia and Sam Koontz were married on October 6, 1972. They had two precious children late in life: Phillip Andrew and Priscilla Ashley Koontz.

After Sam’s sudden death in 2004, Cynthia started the second chapter of her life. She worked full time as an educational assistant for Kilgore Adult Education/Literacy while obtaining two Associate Degrees with highest honors from Kilgore College in 2007 (General Studies and Legal Assistant/Paralegal).  Cynthia transferred to Stephen F. Austin University and completed her Bachelor Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with highest honors in 2009.  Cynthia continued her education by becoming fluent in Braille. Since 2017 Cynthia has been a first grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School.  She will be missed by her star students, first grade teachers/team members and Jefferson Elementary School staff.

Cynthia loved to travel across the United States with her traveling friends:  Dorothy Quada (now deceased), Teresa Barnhill, Melba Oney, and loving aunt Faye Campbell.  Cynthia served as a minister’s wife until the passing of her husband in 2004.  Her service as music director included playing the piano, organ, and accordion.   Cynthia built her dream home in 2020 in Jefferson, Texas and was a faithful member of the United Pentecostal Church in Jefferson, Texas until her passing.

Cynthia inherited great traits from both her paternal and maternal family; determination/”a can do” attitude from the Thomas’ and honest, hard work ethics from the Quada family.   Cynthia loved being a Godly woman, travel to any place that captured her interest, spend time with family, plan and decorate her new house, landscape her yard, work in her school classroom, and spend time with her grandchildren. Cynthia was a perfectionist and every project she contributed to was completed with elegance, beauty, and grace.

Cynthia will always be remembered as “taking the mantel of caring for others” from her mother after she passed in 2016; visiting sick relatives, changing flowers on the graves each month, lending an ear or counseling her siblings, cleaning her local church, and representing the Quada/Thomas family at every family event.

Left to cherish Cynthia’s memory is her daughter Ashley (Jordan) Cunningham of Mansfield, Texas, son Andrew (Shearine) Koontz of Columbia, Tennessee, known as “Poncee” to her grandchildren Ian, Ava, and Kai Cunningham of Mansfield, Texas and Liam Koontz of Columbia, Tennessee, brother Don Quada of Jefferson, Texas, sisters Cheryl Quada and Sheila Bayles, both of Longview, Texas, niece Emily Bayles and nephew Benjamin Bayles, both of Longview, Texas, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends throughout Texas and the United States.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Samuel (Sam) Koontz, parents Scott and Dorothy Quada, and in-laws Ray and Juanita Parker.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Longview Regional Hospital for the care and treatment provided for Cynthia. Special thanks to her pastor Rev. A. David Story and the many relatives and friends who prayed for her throughout her illness.

The family will receive guests for visitation on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson, Texas. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Shane Campbell, Freddy Campbell, Eddie Hendricks, Calvin Lawson, Tony Taylor, and Ricky Wheeler.

If desired, memorial contributions may be sent to her home church, First Pentecostal Church, 1008 North Alley, Jefferson, Texas 75657.

Arrangements are under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home, Jefferson, Texas.

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