Brad Koen Obituary, Death Cause – Her joy was restored when she wed her second love and best friend, Roy R. Koen, Jr., also known as “Duly.” Roy R. Koen, Jr., made a fantastic addition to Barbara and Dwayne’s family as a beautiful second father. After becoming grandparents, Vernie and Duly doted on their grandchildren, Terri and Steve. This tradition was carried on by Vernie’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Two days before she passed away, she was humorously asked which, between Steve and Terri, was her favorite, and she responded with a smile and a swift “both” when she was posed the question.
Both Vernie and Duly were active Christians who served the Lord with kindness and generosity while working together as co-owners of Duly’s Auto Parts. Vernie and Duly worked side by side. The Sunday School class at First Christian Church was one of Vernie’s favorites, and she continued to go there every week up until three weeks before she passed away. Miss Vernie, as she was affectionately known, went into the Crestpark Nursing home when she was 95 years old. She cherished the opportunity to serve as hostess to her “elderly” neighbors and was well-liked by the staff as well as the members of the retirement community.
On October 3, 2018, Vernie Mae Clark Shields Koen, who was 97 years old, passed from this life. On the 14th of July in 1921, she was born in Arkansas County, Arkansas, to her parents, Nancy Crawford Clark and James Oscar Clark. She wed her high school sweetheart, Wilford “Bud” Shields, shortly after she graduated from St. Charles High School. After becoming parents to their only child, Barbara, Bud and Vernie lived a wonderful life together until 1957, when Bud passed away as the result of an accident that occurred while he was boating.
Her parents, both of her husbands, Bud and Duly, four of her brothers, and one of her sons-in-law all passed away before Vernie did. She is survived by the “apple of her eye” daughter, Barbara, her “Golden Boy” son-in-law, Dwayne; two grandchildren, Terri Sharp (Chris), Steve Hornbeck (Cathy); great-grandchildren Holly Hurn (Paul), Tanner, Chris, McKenzi and Kayli Oxner, Kara Turner (Jonathan), Chloe Sharp, Noah and Abigail Hornbeck; and her childhood best friend of 96 years, Josie Padgett.