Mildred Oleta (Walker) Koons, age 94 of Jasper, Arkansas passed away Friday, December 24, 2010 at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Arkansas.

The daughter of Ira E. and Patsy (Routen) Walker was born March 18, 1916 in Columbia, Oklahoma. She was a homemaker and had lived most of her life in Newton County. She was a member of the Jasper United Methodist Church and the Newton County Woodcarvers Club. Among her hobbies she loved carving, weaving and crafts, but her first and foremost love was music. She played many different musical instruments and entertained at many different functions. She was also known as the "Hat Lady" for the many different and elegant hats she always wore.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband of 62 years, Chester Dale Burgess; two sisters, Blanche M. Floyd and Jackie Nash and a brother, Lawrence Walker.

Survivors are her husband, Clair L. Koons of Jasper, AR; three sons, Chester Burgess of Phoenix, AZ, Michael Burgess of Melbourne, AR and Gary Dale Burgess of New York State; one daughter, Patricia Lindroth of Amarillo, TX; two step-sons, Bill Koons of Nevada, MO and Carl Koons of Warrensburg, MO; three step-daughters, Kathy Williams of Oklahoma City, OK, Wendy Lynem of Columbia, MO and Becky Schaller of Higginsville, MO; two sisters, Juanita McCoy and Lucille Walker both of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren and many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren and step-great-great grandchildren.

Memorial service at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Jasper United Methodist Church with Pastor Larry Acton officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the African Missions, c/o the Jasper United Methodist Church.

Cremation arrangements by Coffman Funeral Home of Jasper.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com