Mildred L "Lucy" King

Born June 15, 1928 in Lola, Kentucky to Elmer Corbett and Carrie (Adams) Tharp, she married Charles James Schnake in 1945 in Golconda. She later married Joseph Thomas Damron in Rosiclare, IL.

Surviving are four daughters; Linda (John) Haney of Zephyrhills, Florida, Phyllis (John) Cummins of Groveland, Sandra (Paul) Swanson of East Peoria, and Judy (Jim) Hockman of Washington; one son, Joe (Candee) Damron of Granite City; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Dottie Taber of Vienna, IL.

She was preceded in death by one son; three grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; seven sisters; and two brothers.

In her youth, she attended Lola Pentecostal Church in Salem, Kentucky.

Lucy was a waitress retiring from the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria. She had also worked at Boss glove factory in Peoria, and as a seamstress for Levi Straus, after her children were born a machine was set up in her home by Levi Straus so that she could raise her children and continue working.

She loved sewing and quilting, but she lived for her family.

Lucy was three-quarter Cherokee Indian and lived by an old saying “When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your live so when you die the world cries, and you rejoice.”

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Lola Pentecostal Church in Salem, Kentucky. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial of cremated remains will be in the Lola Pentecostal Cemetery in Lola. Cremation rites have been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to The Washington Area community Foundation (the general fund) or Washington Rotary Foundation (the immediate need) at Washington Community Bank, 1895 Washington Road, Washington, IL 61571 to help with tornado relief.

To express condolences online visit www.preston-hanley.com