Martha Kate King

Martha Kate King, 77, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away February 16, 2015 at Harbor Hospice. She was born on December 30, 1937 in Beaumont to John and Sadie Lumsden Jordan. She was a graduate of Beaumont High School (1956) and received degrees from Texas Women’s University in Denton and Lamar State College. During her younger years she traveled abroad entertaining with the Melody Maids under the direction of the late Eloise Milam. An accomplished teacher, she was a Reading Specialist and taught elementary school for over 40 years.

Following her retirement from Regina-Howell in BISD, she became accomplished with the computer enjoying email conversations with people from all over the world. Furthering her computing expertise she became the e-Bay Queen buying and selling. She was an avid reader and enjoyed discussions of the latest mystery novels with her beloved niece, Jennifer. Whatever Martha Kate put her hand to she mastered, including knitting, rock collecting and birding. She dearly loved her dogs Buddy& Kieara and cats Mallow & Sweetie Pie. However, her true passion in life was to the love and joy of spending time with her granddaughters and great-granddaughter.

Church has played a vital role in Martha Kate’s life beginning in childhood as her mother attended South Park Church of Christ. Shortly after their marriage, Martha Kate and Hubert became very active at the Westside Church where she taught Sunday school and served in a variety of ways. One of the most cherished aspects of her life was her participation with her Christian family that worshipped at Westgate Church of Christ. It was here that she enjoyed many opportunities for fellowship and service. Through training she completed the lengthy and detailed Stephen Ministry coursework and humbly proclaimed the title of Stephen Minister.

Martha Kate was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Hubert King. She is survived by two daughters Ellen King of San Angelo and Laurie (Vince) Lawrence of Beaumont, four granddaughters Karen Merkel of Phoenix, AZ , Maya Davilla of Beaumont, Mary & Marissa Flores of Houston, and one great-granddaughter Nora Kate of Beaumont, sister Ellen (Dick) Preisman and their daughter Jennifer of Washington and brother John (Barbara) Jordan of Florida and their children Todd and Leslie and a sister-in-law Ann King of Indiana.

The family of Martha Kate wishes to thank the host of friends who have assisted in a multitude of ways, included in this list are Staff of Summer Place Nursing Facility and Rehab, Harbor Hospice and most especially personal friend and physician, Dr. Mark Toups.

Donations may be sent to Harbor Hospice, 2450 N. Major Dr., Beaumont, TX 77713 -or- Westgate Church of Christ, 6390 Westgate Dr., Beaumont, TX 77706.