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In Memoriam – Laura M. King
Laura M. King passed away
on February 23, 2014 in her home surrounded by her children.
She was born in Bessemer, AL to Corey “Tom” and Laurette
(Holly) Sturdivant, the second of five children. She
accepted Christ into her life at an early age in the Saddler
Chapel AME Methodist Church in Bessemer founded in 1912 by
her maternal grandparents, Isaac and May Holly. Until her
illness in May 2013, she attended Phillips Temple CME
Methodist Church where she was a stewardess and a member of
the Missionary Society for many years.
Laura was employed at Flower Hospital, the Toledo Club and
retired from Libbey-Owens. She enjoyed working in her
vegetable and flower gardens, watching her “stories” and
especially fishing with her husband’s siblings. She went
deep sea fishing in New York, Florida, Louisiana, Texas,
California, Hawaii as well as salmon fishing in Alaska.
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Laura M. King |
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Laura also enjoyed
traveling. She traveled extensively throughout the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico. She also spent time in Central and South
America, Europe, Israel, Egypt and China. She visited ski
resorts in Argentina and Switzerland, bargained with shop
owners in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, went snorkeling in
Jamaica and attended the 30th anniversary of the
Silent Mach in Washington, D.C. She was always ready for an
adventure. If she wasn’t in church on Sunday, the church
members knew she wasn’t in Toledo and could be anywhere in
the world.
Laura was preceded in
death by her husband, Sylvester King, brother John Henry
“Sam” Sturdivant, sister Carrie Daniel and Thelma Sturdivant.
She is survived by her brother Columbus (Diane) Sturdivant,
children Theresa M. Gabriel, Edward Young, Ronald King and
Lavinia King. Also surviving are grandchildren Regina D.
Gabriel, Robert L. Gabriel, Jr, Cathward Hibbler (Michael),
Edward Davis, Mickey Alexander, Timothy King, eight great
grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren and hosts of
nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Laura made many
friends in her travels in the U.S. and around the world whom
she frequently communicated with, especially Anne Blocker,
Barbara Brown and Ana Aponte.
Special thanks to Nurse
Vickie, Sharon and Jody from Hospice of Northwest Ohio and
to Dr. Daboul and his staff. Also thanks to Lola Williams,
Rose Ellis, Eloise Rivers, Mary Arnold, Danielle Flowers for
their visits, calls and prayers.
The Gabriel and King
families would also like to thank all those who attended
Laura’s funeral and all who extended thanks, flowers and
condolences. |
