Barbara Joan King

Barbara was born in Muskogee, OK on January 11, 1943 to Maxey Rufus Echols (a Railroad Engineer) and Pallie Reba Armstrong-Echols. Barbara will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Barbara attended Muskogee High School where she met and married Robert Henderson in 1960, having 4 daughters. As a young mother, she earned her cosmetology license in 1966 and worked as a hairdresser. However, her most important job was that of a homemaker and mother. In 1979 she married Frank Belknap (gaining 2 stepdaughters and a stepson), until his death in 2001. On May 31, 2013, she married Fred Ambrose King Jr. (gaining 1 stepson), until his death on January 21, 2024.

Barbara was known for her friendly demeanor and contagious laugh. She also loved to travel and after retiring from American Airlines as a Reservations and Ticket Agent she embraced the retirement life enjoying many adventures. Some of her memorable trips included vacations to Europe, Alaska and Hawaii. Anyone that knows Barbara, knows she loved her family deeply and prioritized them by always showing up to their numerous events. Some of her hobbies included crafting, sewing and making jewelry. She was also a loyal and faithful member of the Grapevine Church of Christ.

Barbara and Fred found their dream home in Haslet, TX, where they spent their remaining days together. She is preceded in death by her parents, Maxey and Pallie Echols; late husbands, Frank Belknap and Fred King; sisters, Linda Sue Echols and Judy Stanley; twin brothers Larry and Jerry Echols, and her daughter, Dawn Renee Henderson. She is survived by her sister, Nancy DeLoach; daughters, Chris Goode and husband Dennis; Vicki Klucking, and husband Paul and Melissa Krasnan and husband John. Additionally, Barbara is survived by 4 grandchildren (Jessica Waldrop, Taylor Stapleton, Maddalyn Krasnan and John Ryan Krasnan), and 5 great grandchildren (Lincoln, Kennedy, Leighton, Beckham, and Lawsyn).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grapevine Church of Christ, 525 Park Blvd, Grapevine, Texas 76051, on March 22, 2025 at 11am. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at BluebonnetHills.com. In lieu of flowers, we request that a monetary donation be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.