Velta Lucille Koenig, 87, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024. Loved by all, she was born to George M. and Ina (Gattis) Barnard on May 12, 1937, in Abilene, TX, the 10th of 11 children. The family moved shortly after her birth to Cross Plains. Lucille was a remarkable encourager, known for her kindness, faithfulness, and unwavering love for the Lord. She touched many lives with her sweet spirit and lived a life marked by genuine faith. “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2.
She attended school in Cross Plains, where she met the love of her life, James Oscar Koenig. After graduating from Cross Plains High School, she married James Oscar on July 17, 1955. They had three sons, James Darron, Jon Dennis, and Joe Devin, and twin daughters who died at birth. Except for 12 years when they lived in Bronte, TX, she was a longtime resident of Cross Plains. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and friend. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and would share her love for the Lord with anyone she met. She loved her family and instilled that love in her boys. She worked alongside James Oscar for over twenty years at the Western Auto Store in Cross Plains. She cared for her mother-in-law, Peggy (McMillan) Koenig, in the final years of her life and helped her son, Devin, for several years in his chiropractic office in Cisco after the passing of his wife, Pam (Hutchins) Koenig. She was active in church activities, hosting a lady’s bible study, and enjoyed attending Buffalo football games, going to the Senior Citizens Center and reading to the 3rd graders, delivering Meals on Wheels, and the annual cancer walk. For the last two years, she resided in an assisted living facility in Temple, TX.
She was preceded in death by her husband, twin daughters, and parents. She is survived by her three sons, James Darron and wife Kim Koenig of Temple, TX, Jon Dennis and wife Julie of Granbury, TX; Dr. Joe Devin and wife Cindy of Cisco, TX; nine grandchildren, Melissa and Jeff Thigpen of Troy, TX, Courtney and Stephen Morales of Arlington, Tx, Daniel and Kyle Koenig of Phoenix, AZ, Jason and Alex Koenig of Albuquerque, NM, Jalyn and Garrett Johnson of Cisco, Tx, Chelsea and Cory Falvo of Midlothian, TX, Jaryn and Toby Lynch of Garland, TX, Jenna and Kotie Hoover of Cisco, TX, and Avery Koenig of Cisco, TX; and 19 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cross Plains Senior Citizens Center or the Cross Plains Cancer Fund in the memory of Lucille Koenig.
Lucille’s Funeral Service will be on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Church of Christ, 433 N Main Street Cross Plains, Texas. The family will have a time of visitation prior to the service at 10:00 am at the church, The interment will follow after the service at the Cross Plains Memorial Park in Cross Plains.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at https://www.higginbothamfuneralhomecrossplains.com/
Higginbotham Funeral Home of Cross Plains, 309 N E 4th Street. 254-725-6153 is in charge of arrangements.
