Mamie Ruth King

Mamie was born on December 6, 1937 in Elgin Texas to Thomas William (Bill) and Cecil Smith Grumble.  She went to be with her heavenly Father on February 6, 2017.  She was the middle sister and experienced the normal childhood growing up in Elgin where she went to Elgin schools and graduated in 1957. Her entire family was attending services at the Elgin Assembly of God church every time the doors were open.

Mamie's father died when she was 11 and she found employment with Mr. Les Nichols flipping hamburgers where she worked each day after school to help in support of the family. Mamie exhibited a work ethic that Mr. Nichols recognized and this was the trait that everyone knew of Mamie for the rest of her life.

Mamie met Jerry King while she was in high school and they were married when she finished school.  After she and Jerry married, the couple followed his work in brick laying all over Texas.  Cecilia and Jeraldine  (their two daughters) were born and Mamie furthered her education in taking courses in cosmetology and accounting while handling the duties of a wife and mother.  In 1969 she and Jerry moved back to their hometown of Elgin and built a comfortable house on Pleasant Grove Loop.  She worked at Storey’s Grocery, she kept books for Jerome Stork and she gave time and participated in school activities for her daughters.  She joined the First Baptist Church in Elgin and she became very active in the Elgin Evening’s Lions Club.

When Jerry’s health forced him to retire, Mamie started a new profession – that of being the daytime mother and guide for approximately 50 young children under the age of 3 over the span of years.  She opened her home as a daycare in 1985 and she and Jerry directed these precious children in the ways of growth, love, sharing and respect as their parents worked outside the homes.  Many young adults in the Elgin area still refer to her as “Mimi” as they knew her in the first 3 years of their lives.  After Jerry died in 1996, she continued with her daycare until 2010.

Her legacy to her family was her example of meeting challenges and adversity with determination and assurance.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her younger sister, Linda Fugate.  She is survived by her daughters, Cecilia King Whitley (Leon), Jeraldine King, her Grandchildren, Braxton Hibbs (Niki), Sterling Hibbs (Kelly Horton), Keegan Hibbs (Jennifer Parsons), and Nicole Sheffield.  Her Great-grandchildren, Lily Grace Hogue, Bailey Sterling Hibbs, Steele King Hibbs, Gaige Carroll Hibbs, her sister Willie Fay Stoneburner (Roy), and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mamie was blessed to have many friendships that lasted a lifetime.  Sydna Arbuckle (Ronnie) who was her companion in all sorts of actives, and is considered part of our family.  Jeanette Waters and she were friends for 60 plus years and continued to stay in touch throughout this time.  She and Neil Lawhorn remained friends for 47 years.

She also loved all the children that were in her care and continued to be blessed when she met them on the street, attending their weddings or children’s birthdays.  Courtney Cain Bowen remained close with her until her death.  Courtney referred lovingly to her as “her Mimi” and went to visit her in the nursing home often.  Mamie loved Courtney as one of her grandchildren.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Elgin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, their care and concern for our Mother was overwhelming.  They truly are a dedicated staff and ensured that she received the best care.

Her Grandchildren will be Pallbearers:  Braxton Hibbs, Sterling Hibbs, Keegan Hibbs, Nicole Sheffield and Courtney Bowen.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, February 10, 2017, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Mamie’s Life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 11 ^th , Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. A private committal service will be held in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that memorial contributions be made in honor of Mamie King to either of the charities she cared deeply about.   The Down Home Ranch, 20250 FM 619, Elgin, TX 78621 or The Elgin Evening Lion’s Club, 108 N Main Street, Elgin, TX 78621