Mary King

Services for Mary Earle King, 87, of Tyler will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Born December 19, 1920 in Hillsboro, Texas, Mary Earle King passed away June 14, 2008. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary Earle and Garth B. King were married November 23, 1939 by Dr. Robert Hill in the First Presbyterian Church, which was then located at Broadway and Elm Streets. A graduate of Tyler High School and attendee of Tyler Junior College, Mary had a professional career spanning 20-plus years in the Tyler Independent School District, culminating as Secretary to several Superintendents of TISD. She was a member of the Smith County Retired School Personnel, and an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma teacher’s sorority, Zeta Gamma Chapter. An accomplished artist, Mary won many blue ribbons for showings at Bergfeld Park and the Tyler Fairgrounds for her oil paintings of Texas landscapes, of bluebonnets, and realistic still-lifes. A lover of birds and nature, Mary created a sanctuary for birds in her back yard at home, attracting migrating hummingbirds and other wild birds who knew her personally. After their retirement, Mary and Garth extensively traveled the United States together, experiencing many adventures and sights, primarily by automobile. Mary was an avid baseball fan, particularly of the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime member of Marvin United Methodist Church and the Century Sunday School Class. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Garth Byron King; her two sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen C. and Patricia King of Houston, and David G. and Marsha King of Atlanta, Georgia; two granddaughters, Katherine King of New York City, New York and Karen King of Atlanta, and her brother, Charles K. Duffie of Fort Worth. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Duffie Johnson and Earl P. Duffie, and an infant son, William Ray King. She will be remembered always and deeply missed by her loving family and many friends. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, June 16, 2008 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. Memorials in honor of Mary Earle King may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Drive, Waco, Texas 76708. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Mary King

December 19, 1920 - June 14, 2008