Barbara Koester Obituary

Barbara Ann Koester SUMMERVILLE - Barbara Koester was called home into the arms of Jesus on March 28, 2024, at the age of 83. Born December 27, 1940 in Evergreen, Alabama, she was the daughter of Lee and Cathleen Murphy Sanford. She married the love of her life; Walter F. Koester, and they spent many years together. Barbara was a strong, independent woman, who had a passion for many things in her life. She dedicated many years to the banking industry and also serving as an accountant for Marion Homes and Tri-City Drywall. She was dedicated and spent over 45 years as a volunteer with the Summerville Girls Softball League, where she touched several thousands of young players, wonderful coaches, and several Board Members who graciously served alongside her at the league, as well as several great employees from the town. She was a faithful member of Knightsville UMC, where she enjoyed worshiping and seeing her friends. Her priority in life was caring for her family and she never missed an athletic event or social function that involved her grandchildren. She was blessed to have had so many special friends, but there were three faithful friends who were with her through thick and thin: Joanna Clemmons, Pam Tolly Keller, and Kay Cantley, which were her extraordinary best friends. She leaves behind her loving children, Patricia Koester, Walter Koester (Jim); her beloved grandchildren: Brittany Jean Koester (Michele), Tyler Koester (Amber), and the sunshine of her life, Savanah Elizabeth Koester, as well as her adoring great- grandchildren; Ella Grace Koester, Lawson Dean Koester, Mitchel Jean Koester, and Sutton Ann Koester. sisters: Jance Trotter, Cathy McCullars (Robert); brother, Joseph Lee Sanford (Gayle); nieces and nephews, Several in SC, AL, and FL; sister-in-law: Virginia Crawford (Johnny); aunts: Doris Edwards (Ben) and Jeanett Garrett. She was preceded in death by her loving parents: Lee and Cathleen Sandford; sisters: Jean McDonald, Edna Hamm, Swanee Thrift; brothers: Jerry Allen Sanford, James Wilton Sanford; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; daughter, Joyce Ann Koester; great-granddaughter: Amelia Kate Koester; grandparents: Jim Allen Murphy, Naomi (Grannie); Horace and Ollie Sanford. A visitation of friends and family will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at James A. Dyal Funeral Home from 2pm-3pm with a memorial service beginning at 3:00pm in the chapel. Located at 303 South Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483.