Agatha M. King

Agatha Mae King, 89 years old, passed away at Homestead Nursing Center Baird TX, on January 8, 2023. She was born at home on March 24, 1933 in Martin County, Stanton TX to Buford and Bessie Rich. She was raised on the farm in rural Mitchell County near Westbrook TX and graduated from Westbrook High School class of 1950. She was voted the “Carnival Queen” her Senior year. Agatha played basketball and participated in FHA throughout the school years. She was the oldest of nine children, all attending Westbrook School.

After her high school graduation, Agatha worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone in Midland TX. She met Johnny King in Midland TX and they married March 9, 1957 in Lovington, New Mexico.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 24, 2007 at the Westbrook community center. They lived and raised their family in Midland and Big Spring TX, Forest Park and Bowdon GA, later returning to TX living in Silver Valley and finally settling in Clyde TX around 1974. In Clyde, Agatha and Johnny owned and operated the KK Corral western wear store for several years. They continued to travel around the country with Johnny’s ceramic tile business until the ill health of Bessie and Buford brought them back to Westbrook TX in 1997 to live until Johnny passed in 2007. Agatha moved back to Clyde to live in retirement for 15 years in the home of her daughter and son in law Eddie and Cindy Adams. She always enjoyed watching sports, gambling, traveling; the Dallas Mavs and Dallas Cowboys were her favorite teams.

She was preceded in death by her parents Buford and Bessie Rich, her sisters Jeanet B Rich, Brenda Gale Rich, and Retha Elsesser, brothers Larry Rex Rich and Buford Rich Jr (Buzzy) , and her husband of over 50 years Johnny King. She is survived by brothers Cleburne (Metha) Rich of Westbrook TX, James (Ellen) Rich of Snyder TX, and Gary Don (Belinda) of Westbrook TX. Children Cindy (Eddie) Adams of Clyde TX, Tamara (Johanna) King of Arlington TX, Brandon King of Abilene TX. Grandchildren Jered (Donna) Adams of Clyde TX, Aaron Adams of Abilene TX, Amber (Dave) Puryear of Hamilton TX, Cody King of Leander TX, Audrey (Russell) Whitesides of Millsap TX, Sam (Lauren) Harless of Weatherford TX, and Johnny King of Abilene TX; Great grandchildren Addie Harless, Bryce Adams, Ella Puryear, Finn and Gabe Whitesides and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Mary Healy long time friend and caregiver, of Clyde, the staff and caregivers at Homestead Nursing Home in Baird TX and Kindred Hospice. A graveside service will be held at the Westbrook Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Wednesday January 11, 2023.