Earlene King

Earlene Burch King was the eleventh child of thirteen children born to Lawrence Burch and Sarah Thomas Burch on born on April 8, 1928, in Louann, Arkansas.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. She grew up to be a beautiful young lady. Very soft-spoken and at times with a shy disposition, she made friends easily.

Earlene met John King, Jr., a young hardworking man from Sparkman and their love was instant. They married and remained together for 56 years until his passing on January 18, 2002. Together they started a family and moved to Sparkman. She United with Harmony Missionary Baptist Church where she served as an usher and on the mother’s board.

Earlene and John were great role models for their eleven children. They taught them the benefits of hard work and getting an education. She worked as a seamstress and retired from Levi Strauss in Arkadelphia

She enjoyed reading, gardening and was a skilled seamstress. Always impeccably dressed she matched her outfit, shoes, purse, and jewelry. Her home was the place for a family get-together where she dominated the domino table as “Rollin Granny” and particularly loved the hilarious bragging rights stemming from her frequent wins against all of the “young folks”. She was a true fan of the Arkansas Razorback basketball team and reaffirmed that she didn’t have time to talk on the phone while her boys were playing.

Sis. King was a virtuous woman who loved sharing the word of God with her family and others. Earlene Burch King was a true jewel and will be missed by many. In her 93rd season of life, she passed into the Lord's embrace on Thursday, June 24, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in passing by her parents; her husband John King, Jr; three sons, William King, John Wesley King, James Kennedy King, and eleven siblings.

A lifetime of love and memories will forever linger with her children: Beatrice Jordan-Evans (Marvin) of Kansas City, MO, Verdia Kirkwood of Buffalo, NY, Gloria Jones (Gale) of Arkadelphia, Rev. Linda F. Butler (Sherman) of Sparkman, Cynthia Harris of Kansas City, MO, Lahomia King of Sparkman, AR, Bobby Joe King of Kansas City, MO and Christopher King of Sparkman; and a sister, Nedar Hyson of Buffalo, NY. She also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and the Harmony Baptist Church Family.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Williams Funeral Home 1517 Caddo Street. A celebration of her life will be shared with family and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021, at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Harvey Goodwin, officiating and Rev. Linda Butler, eulogist. Interment will be at Harmony Community Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Alfred Jordan, Bobby L. King, Jermaine Butler, Johnathan Davis, Bobby King, Jr., and Damien Kincade. Honorary pallbearers will be Malachi Butler, Kaden Lewis, London McGhee, Rashad L. Thomas, Deron Harris, Dyane Harris and Martin Roper.