Dr. Rebecca Buford Koon, Ed.D.

August 6, 1941- May 11, 2024

Rebecca Buford Koon, age 82, of Auburn, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2024 after an extended illness.

Rebecca was born on August 6, 1941, to James Ansel and Leita Tatum Buford in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She moved with her family to East Lansing, Michigan during World War II for her father to serve on active duty with the Army training Michigan State cadets. Rebecca later moved with her family to Milltown, Alabama and was taught in the first grade by her grandmother Dove Riser Tatum. Rebecca served as student council president her freshman year of high school and was a proud graduate of the Chambers County High School Class of 1959.

Rebecca attended Auburn University (formerly known as API), where she was a member of Alpha Omega Pi social sorority and served as chapter Vice President. Rebecca graduated in August 1962 in 3 years with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and was a member Phi Kappa Phi academic honorary. Rebecca, her mother Leita and her grandmother Dove were all proud Education graduates from Auburn University.

Rebecca met her future husband, Joe Lewis Koon from Gordo, Alabama, while attending Auburn University and they were married on June 3, 1961. Rebecca and Joe moved to California after graduation and Rebecca taught elementary school while Joe attended graduate school. After returning to Alabama, Rebecca taught school for several years in Pickens County until she started her family.

Rebecca returned to Auburn University to complete her Master's Degree and Doctorate Degree in Education and joined the Auburn University faculty. Rebecca later sold real estate in Auburn before retiring to care for her parents and her husband.

Rebecca actively raised her three children and attended all sporting, scouting, band and military events through the years. Rebecca was a kind and wise person with a well-developed sense of humor. She loved her family and particularly enjoyed her role as Grand Mommie.

Rebecca was a voracious reader and loved to learn new things. She enjoyed gardening, propagating wildflowers and native azaleas and spending time outdoors with her family camping and SCUBA diving. Later in life, Rebecca became a talented stone mason and completed beautiful stone projects at her home. Rebecca was a member of Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents Ansel and Leita Buford and her husband of 45 years Joe Koon. Rebecca is survived by her brother Jim Buford (Betty) and her sister Nancy Buford Robinson (George). Rebecca is also survived by her three children: Karen Koon O'Brien (John), David Lee Koon (Kelli) and Laura Ann Koon (Gail). as well as four grandchildren: Kelsey Faye O'Brien Pramik (Michal), John Keagen Bismark-O'Brien (Fine), Joe Clayton Koon (Carley) and Thomas Ansel O'Brien and one great-granddaughter, Harper Lynn Koon. Rebecca is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family thanks the Chambers County High School Class of 1959 for their lifetime of friendship with Rebecca. The family also thanks Dr. Hiram Patel, Dr. Allan Schwadron and Dr. Mandy Reimer and their staffs for taking great care of Rebecca during her extended illness. The family expresses its deep appreciation to Willie Frank (Pama) Finley for teaching Rebecca the art of stone masonry and for his many years of help and friendship. The family also expresses deep appreciation to Sylvia Sims, for being Rebecca's primary caregiver, and for her caregiver team including Karen, LaToya, Helen, Scocion and Shelia and for Rebecca's other assistants, Deb and Avrie, which allowed Rebecca to live out her final years safely, well cared for and comfortable at home.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 18th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama with a memorial service following at 12:00 p.m.

Flowers are welcome and donations can be made to the Reach Program, c/o Auburn First United Methodist Church, the East Alabama Food Bank or a charity of your choice.