Rachel Marie Koning

Rachel Marie Koning, on Friday, September 11, 2020, Rachel Marie Koning loving daughter, sister, and granddaughter went to be with her Heavenly Father at age 21.  Rachel was born on July 6, 1999, in Lawrenceville to Dennis and Laurie Koning.  She graduated from Jackson County Comprehensive High School in 2018, while dual enrolling for her senior year at the University of North Georgia in Gainseville.  After graduating from high school she attended the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega for two years.  During this time she also worked at Whispering Oaks Dog Training Facility as an obedience trainer, a job she loved.  Rachel was loving, vivacious, and effervescent, like a woodland sprite.  She was a poetic, beautiful, extremely artistic person, who loved drawing and creating.  You  could not find a more loyal friend.  She loved her constant companions, her dog Theo and her boyfriend Wesley.  They enjoyed hiking, camping, and exploring God’s creation together.  She lived the quote, “and at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.”  Rachel is survived by her mother Laurie; father Dennis; sisters Kate, Bethy; brother Jon, Josh; grandparents Ken and Kathy McGuire; Dave and Saundra Ives; many aunts, uncles and cousins.  A Service of Celebration will be held 4:00 PM Friday, September 18, 2020 at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542.  In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Christian Aid Mission, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, Virginia 22906, or online at https://give.christianaid.org/Donate/Donate.asp. Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.

17 thoughts on “Rachel Marie Koning”

  1. Thank you Rachel for your joyful friendship, your beautiful smile and twinkling eyes. Because of you, we have grown closer to our Heavenly Father. You will be with us always. With much love and sorrow, The Newman Family

  2. Your light shone so bright and you were so fun to work with! I’ll forever cherish our dog training sessions together! You’ll forever be in our hearts and can’t wait til we see each other again in Heaven. Love you sweet girl!

  3. I didn’t know Rachel, but can see how much joy and love she brought to her family and to my sister’s family, the Newmans. You have many people praying for Rachel and all of you who loved her. Sincerest condolences – the Halls, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

  4. Mss Rachel and I never met. How odd to be so moved by someone you never met, sounds a bit familiar tho. If I may address this to her.
    Rachel, favored daughter of The Most High God your testimony has had an eternal effect. The very fact that we all live in a fallen world and we get pushed around, lied to about the very real meaning of His Son’s love, that theres plenty of time to serve Him with all our heart, deceived into thinking we are lacking. For most of us we get so many overlays it’s hard for us to been seen as God saw us as he nurtured us before he offered us as gifts to our parents. Every thing we are exposed to has an effect on us. The enemy is louder and purposely so. If he can persuade us to think we are greater than or less than what God tells us we are. Then just maybe he can defeat the plan God has for us.
    Well Dear Rachel, God must have Said you are mine and I will never leave you nor forsake you. God spoke that so firmly that it was as though He cloaked you in a garment of His Glory. So that those who have eyes could see that you are a Daughter of The King! Your very countenance changed the person that gave testimony of you. It was a change that is eternal (their words). So kiddo just so it is said, you didn’t fail in drawing others closer to God! Kinda familiar reminds me of God’s only Son when He said “if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto The Father”. Well girl you have lifted up The Father and I know a man that will be counted on the role before Father. So I Trust You must have blushed a little when Abba said “Good job My good and faithful servant”!!! So proud of you Rachel, It was said “if I could be used like that” (their words).

    So two questions remain for us: 1. What lie or overlay have we allowed to divert us from having that kind of continence? 2. Are we seeking to be on the role?

    How wonderful it must be to be her parents and family God Bless You with His very percent embrace of LOVE and comforting Spirit!!

  5. Rachel, this is Mike Sinteff. When I first met you, on the day you came to audit our training program to enroll Theo, I knew I was meeting a special person. I write in present tense because you are alive and well and sitting at the feet of Jesus; a place where so many look forward to sitting. Not good bye, but I’ll see you later.
    You audited one of our turnovers and about an hour later I asked you to work the client’s dog; one you had never worked or trained. You were confident, calm, assured and perfect! To God be the Glory for Blessing you.
    I will miss you; our loss is Heaven’s gain. I’m often
    Crying when I think of your character and quality in everything you set your hands to. I have hardly ever seen a person pick up so quick, work so wonderfully, engage in your work so passionately, step in on so many projects without complaining and produce such wonderful work. Hardly a day went by when we did not complement you on some part of your work. Dog’s love you…a natural dog lover…you love working dogs inside, outside and everywhere in between. 🐶🐾
    While in Heaven for the rest of eternity, when
    God needs a Special Person to do a special project, you will be one of His first choices. I rejoice in your faith in Christ and so great a gift of salvation. Love to you and your dear family from Mike and Teresa Sinteff ❤️♥️

  6. Our family is praying for the whole Koning Family as you go through this difficult time.

    Tom and Connie Koning

  7. Beautiful, creative Rachel, you are missed so very much. Koning family, you have been constantly on my mind. I am saddened by and sorry for your loss. Much love, Kristin Howell (Rachel’s 7th grade teacher)

  8. “Woodland sprite” is a fitting description of Rachel! Much love and many prayers to the Koning family from Kalamazoo. We hope to see you soon. Maranatha!

  9. Look For Me In The Rainbow. Now that I have lain my body down for its final rest, please don’t think of me as dead. I am freed from the body and am able to be with you in a greater and closer way. When you see trees blowing in the wind, I will be there waving to you. When you feel a soft breeze on a warm summer day, I will be the breeze cooling you. When the sunlight warms your face, I will touch you with a warm love. I will come to you when birds sing, and when animals do wonderful, funny things. When it rains I will come in the raindrops to cool you. I will fall with the snowflakes to beautify the earth. When thunder roars and lightning streaks across the sky, let the sound and fury remind you of the power and magnificence of God, with whom I have found rest. Most of all, when you feel love, and joy, and peace, know that I am with you. And the deeper within your own heart that you search for me, the closer I will be. I have been released from my body to dwell in the heart of God. Nothing separates from you, for i am in God, and God is the love and joy and peace deep within you and all the beauty and energy of the universe. Know that I am happier now than you can imagine. You too will know this when you have put off the body to be with us forever. It is like a raindrop finding its way back to the sea from whence it came. Then time will no longer matter. You will feel we have never been apart. If you need anything, ask and I will hear you. I will be in your thoughts. You will feel me in your emotions and see me in the world around you. You will know me in the people you love, and in our friends. Do not think of me as dead. On the contrary, I am more alive than ever before. Death is not the end, it merely saw me through the next step along the way. You see, life in the body is but a moment, a drop in the infinite ocean of time, a dream. When that moment is over for you, we will be together again in a special way. We will be one with God. Please think of me when you see Gods wonders; look for me in everything in which He has had a hand. But especially for you, my beloved, look for me in the glory of the rainbow. Each time you gaze upon a rainbows splendid color know that I am with you most of all. May Gods Peace be with all of your family at this time. Your uncle Patrick married my sweet niece Allissa.

  10. Dennis and Laurie I am Lifting y’all up in Prayer. Heaven has welcomed the Purest of Angels. Many sweet, sweet memories of Rachel when she was younger and I had the privilege of taking care of her Pearly whites at Dr. Ashley’s. Truly a “Ray of Sunshine”! Love you all so dearly.
    ——- Debbie

  11. Laurie and Dennis, I am so sorry for your loss. Our son Joseph grew up with Wesley. Rachel impacted Joseph’s life in a big way and was instrumental in Joseph returning to a relationship with Jesus just recently on Labor Day weekend. My husband Scot and I lost our daughter in a car accident 14 years ago. We know the pain of losing a daughter. Our hearts are broken with yours even though we’ve never met. Please know that we have been praying for you both and your whole family daily since we heard the news about Rachel. You have a wonderful hope in knowing you will see Rachel again. Praise the Lord. But, it does still hurt. I pray you both will feel the arms of the Lord around you as you walk this difficult path. Much love and many prayers to you all. We are available anytime if you ever need to talk.

  12. I am just heartbroken to here of this great loss. My thoughts and prayers for the entire family.

  13. Dear Koning family: I am so sorry to hear about Rachel’s passing. Rachel will forever be a sweet, loving and quiet 1st grader in my mind. I enjoyed having her as a student and watching her grow. Some of my favorite teaching memories are filled with Koning children. I have so many sweet memories of her reading to me and telling me stories, playing on the playground and eating lunch together outside. I will pray for your family during the upcoming, weeks, months and years. It is a comfort to know that she is worshiping Jesus at this very moment. Love and prayers to you all. Gelene Lawson

  14. As friends of the Newman family, we are very sorry to hear of Rachael’s passing. We regret we did not get the chance to meet this special young lady. Our hearts go out to the Rachael’s family, the Newman family, who were so touched by her life, and to Wesley. Our prayers are with each of you. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm116:15
    “. . fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

  15. My condolences to the Koning family during the time of grief. I will keep your family in my prayers.

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