Teresa Ann Coney

Family and friends, we celebrate the life of Teresa Ann Coney, who was born on July 14, 1959, in Marianna, Arkansas to Lester and Maggie Coney. Teresa peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, at Saint Vincent Hospital.

She professed hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna, Arkansas. She later joined the Saint Mark Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Steven M. Arnold and remained faithful under the leadership of Dr. Philip L. Pointer, Sr. She was a faithful member of the Saint Mark Baptist Church, where she served as an ambassador to new members until her health began to decline.

Teresa attended elementary and high school in the Marianna School District, graduating from Lee High School in 1977. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1983, a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and was working on a PhD in Organizational Leadership at the time of her transition.

She began her professional career as a police officer in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, after graduating from the university. She later moved to Little Rock and began her career in social welfare, where she was transferred to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DCFS to DYS – Division of Youth Services). Teresa was assigned to the DCFS Resource Unit where her primary responsibilities and duties were to secure placement for youth who were considered “hard to place” (she was not the one to accept a child being labeled hard to place). Teresa Coney believed that all children deserved a family setting. Teresa remained with the Resource Unit, however her assignment changed to the Liaison for Interstate Compact for Pulaski County (ICPC), working to place children with relatives or parents within Pulaski County, Arkansas. She worked in this capacity until her retirement from ADHS-DCFS in September 2023.

Teresa was an active and lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World, Incorporated – Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Free Masonry. She was a member of Pillars of Strength Chapter #003, and she served as Worthy Matron and Past Worthy Matron. She also served as the Past Grand Worthy Matron of Queen of Sheba Grand Chapter and served on the Past Matrons Council. She was a member of the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Throughout her OES journey, she was elevated to The Exalted Order of Amaranth and served in Royal Pearls of Wisdom Court #1309, Loyalty Court #1327, Heroines of Jericho Courts Meeka #0704, Hannah #1417, Lady Knight Templar Sarai #1621, and was a member of Atarah Daughter of Sphinx Court #2113 and Shammai Supreme White Shrine of Jerusalem #3300. She always participated in the annual Friends and Family Day, donating school supplies, and volunteering her time through community service.

Teresa worked in many capacities: a licensed funeral director, junior club leader for Modern Woodmen, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, Pulaski County Democratic Committee Lifetime Member, Congressional Black Caucus, Vice-President of the AFLCIO and the UAPB Pulaski County Alumni Chapter. As a member of the Quorum Court, she was committed to serving and improving our community.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lester Sr. and Maggie Coney, and her siblings, Lester Coney, Jr., Lena Clark, Eddie Coney, Charles Coney, Sharon Okunbowa, Carolyn Coney, and Jimmy Coney.

Teresa leaves to cherish her precious memories one son, Rickey T. Shine (Victoria); two grandsons, Rickey III and Aidan Shine, both of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters, Gloria Hackett (Edward, a special brother-in-law) of Toledo, Ohio and Cynthia Coney of St. Louis, Missouri; three brothers, Alvin Ray Coney (Tracy) of Lexa, Arkansas, Earl Coney of Marianna, Arkansas, and Irvin Brown (Regina) of East St. Louis, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Linda Coney of St. Louis, Missouri and Cynthia Coney of Aurora, Illinois; special nieces, LaTisha, Uwaila, Edshondra, LaShonda, LaQuitta, Tracia, Jasmine, Jonettia, Whitney, Brittany, Javanna, Terri, Pauleaner, and Mya; special nephews, Christopher, Jarrett, Andre, Courtney, Ben, Antonio, D’Army, Orlandus, and Craig; special sisters, Sandra Cooper of Marianna, Arkansas and Joann Shine Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

 Your contagious smile will be missed, but your legacy will live on!