Lois Lenora Wood King

Lois Lenora Wood King was born in Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas on January 31, 1918 to William Otto and Ora Mae Sparks Wood. She departed this life on September 9, 2015 at the age of 97. Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Fred Walter King, her parents, Ora Mae and Otto Wood, two brothers, F. M. and Luther Wood, and sisters, Ether Patton, Lorene Rucker, and Florene Scherr. She is survived by her children Carolyn Blackmore of Corpus Christi, Texas, David and Judy King of Wharton, Elaine and Bill Kuester of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, Frances and Bob Ziegenhals of Wharton; Eight grandchildren: Philip Blackmore, Barbara Blackmore Priddy and husband Mike, Marcus King and wife Vicki, Katie King Kolodziej and husband Leon, Jennifer Kuester Mertz and husband Jeffrey, Jeffrey Kuester, Courtney Ziegenhals Sanderson and husband David, and Karl Ziegenhals. Fifteen great-grandchildren: Jacque Snow, Jazz Rowland, Jake LaVelle, Megan and Sarah King, Emily King, Michael, Rhinna, and Maddie Kolodziej, Charlotte and Amelia Mertz, Adelaide Kuester, and Collin, Liam and Aiden Sanderson. Lois graduated from Ballinger High School, then attended Howard Payne University. Her father sold a calf to finance her year of college at Howard Payne. She married the Reverend Fred Walter King of Ballinger on January 3, 1940. Lois always felt that God called her to be a minister's wife and she faithfully followed His calling. She re-enrolled in college in 1958 at Mary Hardin Baylor and graduated from Pan American College in 1965. She was the first in her family to get a college degree. She taught school in Rio Hondo, Santa Rosa, Ingleside, then taught fourth grade for more than 20 years in Wharton ISD. Many years of students fondly recall Mrs. King as “The Little House” teacher because she enjoyed reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder series to her classes each year. Lois was a member of American Association of University Women, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and the Wharton Art League. An active member of First Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School, sang in the Joy Bells Choir, the Sanctuary Choir and planned many activities and events at the church. A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at the Old Runnels Cemetery near Ballinger, Texas. Memorials may be made to Palacios Baptist Encampment, Mary Hardin Baylor University, or a charity of your choice. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.