Ula Roberta King

Ula Roberta Britt was born to Matthew Doney Britt Jr. and Lucy Oyster Jackson on June 12, 1930. She was the eleventh child born to this union. She and her family lived on a large farm in Virginia. She and her siblings learned to do household and farming chores at a young age. Her mother nicknamed her Ruby and often called on her to complete specific household chores. Ula and her siblings brought their mother fresh vegetables from the garden and well water each day. She showed a great deal of tenacity in this regard and learned to cook, bake, sew by hand and sewing machine, and preserve fruits and vegetables. There was a great deal of interdependence in the family which resulted in supportive and close family relationships. Her family was very active in church, and it was at home and there in church that she learned of the importance of living with Christian values and ethics, which helped her to achieve life goals.

Ula often spoke of going to school as a child and of how this was the highlight of her childhood. She loved school and excelled in her classes. She skipped the 6th grade and graduated as Valedictorian of her class in Junior High School. She then attended Central High School at the age of twelve and graduated as the Salutatorian. After graduating, she was determined to go to college to pursue her educational goals. She attended Virginia State College (now University) from 1947 to 1951.She participated in the ROTC Program and joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. This is a historic sorority for African American women to promote the highest standards of scholastic achievements, along with cultural endeavors to facilitate unity. She worked at the Student Dining Hall during her time in college and found ongoing support from her Supervisor which allowed her to meet monetary needs for college. She received her BS degree in Secondary Education and her fields of teaching were English and History. She was the first person in her family to attain a college degree and the joy of this accomplishment, remains a legacy for her family and loved ones to cherish.

After college, Ula entered the United States Air Force in 1952 and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Her specialty was in the field of Nursing, as a Medical Technician. After she completed her training, she was transferred to Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico, where she met her husband, the late Thomas J. King Sr. They were married on July 30, 1953. Later that year they were transferred to March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. In March of 1954, they decided that she should leave the Air Force and start their family. In a few years they were the happy parents of five children. She was a devoted and loving mother who will always be treasured by her family.

Ula was hired by Patton State Hospital in 1957, as a Psychiatric Technician and worked there for eleven years. During this time, she worked with mentally ill patients and provided care and supervision. She then pursued a career in teaching and was hired by Perris Junior High School as an English Teacher in 1968. She furthered her education by attending La Sierra College and Pepperdine University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Education, in 1977. She taught children in the 7th and 8th grades for twenty-two years. Due to her expertise and professionalism, she became the Head of the English Department for many years before her retirement in 1990.

Ula was preceded in death by her late husband Thomas J. King Sr, and daughter Byradine Strickland. She is survived by her four children: Linda Pettine and husband Tony,

Olin C. King II and wife Yvonne, Shandel Roberts and husband Adrian, Rondell King, and wife Frances. She has nine Grandchildren: Taniesha, C’mone, Jon, Lea, Michael, Faith, Alethea, Adriana, and Aaron. She has fourteen Great Grandchildren: Ziona, Jordynn, Brooklynn, Anthony Jr., Xavier, Kali, Malaysia, BJ, Aiden, Ethan, Elijah, Dominic, Celine, and Benjamin; and a host of family and friends.

A Service will be held for Ula King on:

Friday, April 8, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at

Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary,

7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.

Following the Service will be a Graveside service from:

1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Riverside National Cemetery,

22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the King family.