Julia Avelene Marken

Julia (also known as Judy and Tudie) King/Marken passed away at home at the age of 98 on April 28, 2019 surrounded by family and her cats Crow and Alley. She fought hard against congestive heart failure but a debilitating stroke took her the last week of her life.

Julia is survived by 3 children; Cindy (Jim) Eakins of Delaware, OH; Sandra Griffth of Riverside and who Julia lived with; and Larry (Cece) Batchelor of Moreno Valley. Also 3 sister in laws; Novella King of Indio; Jewel Culver in Arizona and Shirley Winnett in Idaho. Also survived are 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Julia was born on December 12, 1920 in Fort Smith Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Bulah King. And 4 brothers, Harlen, John, Bill and Charles King. And a 3 year old daughter, Elane.

In Arkansas the King family moved alot from city to country to find work. Henry played the 5 string banjo and encouraged his 5 kids to play a stringed instrument and they formed their King Family band. They played at picnics and functions to earn extra money. Julia played the violin (fiddle) and did the singing for the band. The family left Arkansas during the Dustbowl period and moved to Calif where they thought they were promised work.

The family were migrant farm workers and traveled all over Calif to pick fruits and vegetables and cotton. They eventually settled in Beaumont, Calif. Julia married Vernon Batchelor and had her 3 kids. She lost interest in music and pursued her first love of being a devoted and caring wife and mother. But her music stayed with her as she sang in the home often. She loved to cook, sew clothes, crochet and quilt. She made most of Cindy and Sandra’s dresses. When Bulah had a stroke that left her bedridden, Julia took care of her mom for about 4 years until Bulah died. Julia then got a job working as a cook at a nursing home and took much pride in the meals she prepared.

Julia and Vernon divorced and Julia married Vince Marken and they moved to Riverside. Julia continued to cook at another nursing home and then cooked at the cafeteria at the Riverside county building til she retired in 1985. When Henry,her dad, also had a stroke, Julia also took care of him til he passed in 1992.

Julia did alot of traveling and joined square dancing. Then after Vince passed away in 2000 she got more involved in her love of quilting. She was a faithful member of the Magnolia Presbyterian church and joined a hand quilting group of women. The group donated all their money to the church for church repairs and probably made thousands of dollars. That group disbanded and Julia found another quilting group at Arlington Methodist church that made money for their church. In between the quilt groups Julia also tried to make each grandchild their own quilt as a gift of love.

Julia will be remembered for her beautiful, sweet and caring soul. Soft spoken and always caring for others ahead of herself. When Sandra was injured at work and couldn’t work, Julia did all she could to take care of Sandra. All her kids, grandkids and family Julia loved unconditionally. She touched the hearts of all she met and was a blessing to all as a little piece of Heaven.