Milita Teresa Koonce

Born in Cook County, Illinois, on June 19, 1973, Milita grew up to embrace life with a unique sense of adventure and creativity. She found joy in helping to run her family’s business, Becky’s Red Dog Saloon, where she was a bartender, cook, and “chief bottle washer.” Known for her vibrant personality and hardworking spirit, Milita created a sense of home and community for everyone who walked through the doors of the saloon.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Hugh Koonce, whose memory she carried with her throughout her life.

Milita leaves behind a loving family, including her mother, Rebecca V. Carey; her devoted husband, Jody Horner; her beloved puppy, Hippie; her stepdaughter, Summar Davis, and her husband, Thomas, along with their children, Lane, Jax, and Raelyn. She is also survived by her siblings, Michelle Vandiver Hall (Drake), Teresa Koonce, and Daniel Koonce, as well as a wide circle of cherished friends who will remember her warmth, humor, and generosity.

A service to celebrate Milita’s life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons. Burial will follow in the Pusser Family Cemetery in Chester County, Tennessee. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday evening, October 25, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who loved Milita to share a story, a smile, or a laugh in her honor, as she would have wanted.