Ernest King

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Aug. 2, 1931 – April 1, 2012

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Services for Ernest King, 80, of Wichita Falls, Texas, who died Sunday, April 1, 2012, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Welch Street Church of Christ in Wichita Falls with the Rev. John C. Brown officiating.

Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home in Wichita Falls.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. King was born Aug. 2, 1931, in Sibley, the son of William King and Mary Dailey. In his early years, he was employed by the State Highway Department and also worked as a carpenter helper. He owned and operated his own cab service for eight years in Wichita Falls and retired in 2003. In addition, Mr. King served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959.

Ernest married Jonell Harper in Wichita Falls and they were together for 52 years until her death in 2001. They were baptized together in 1966, in a fellowship meeting; message by Winter I. Johnson, who was the minister of the Welch Street Church of Christ. Ernest was the minister of the Church of Christ in Electra, Texas for 25 years, retiring in 2010. At the time of his death, Ernest was a member of Welch Street Church of Christ.

Ernest was a happy person and loved “the church” so dearly that he would arrive early at Welch Street COC and sit until the doors were opened, then he would continue on to Electra where he ministered.

He loved to fish and during fishing season he could be found at the lake on Sheppard Access Road.

He had a number of close friends who were like family and he was especially close to John and Aurelia Brown and their family.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jonell.

Survivors include seven sisters, Alberta Davis and Marilyn Buckner, both of Vidalia, Birdie Wade, Lillie B. Mazique and Ruth King, all of Natchez, Mary K. Dennis of Woodville and Edna K. Phipps of Tampa, Fla.; one brother, Eddie King of Natchez; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com.