In Loving Memory

Gloria "Jean" King

1932-2008

Last Saturday was a hard day for our family when we lost someone very dear to us all. My grandmom, Jean King, passed away, just one day before Easter Sunday when we all planned to be together again. I had been praying for months that she would last until March 23 so I could see her one last time. She had really suffered the last few months and even though we all miss her more than words can say, we know she is in a much better place. There is no way I could fit in to a blog how much my grandmom meant to me, to all of us. We all have more memories than I could ever write down. I was tasked to write something in honor of grandmom for her funreal. Somehow, with the help of Ashleigh by my side, we read this tribute to our Grandmom at her funeral last Thursday. In honor of her I wanted to share it here.

Our grandmother was all that grandmothers are made of. When we all sat down to talk about our memories of her, they came fast, with lots of laughs, and covered so many areas. Because from the moment each of us were born (all 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren) she was a big part of our lives.

She made all of us girls in to bargain shoppers from our countless shopping trips to Frederick Town Mall, or cutting out coupons and taking us grocery shopping at old Food Rite. And each time we went somewhere, no matter how far away we got from Mt. Airy, she would run into people she knew. To some of us she passed on her love of cooking and baking. Her macaroni and cheese, Jello-O salads, hot milk sponge cake, crab and vegetables soups, to name a few, will be recipes that will be passed on from generation to generation. None of us will ever be able to eat Frosted Flakes, drink a cup of hot tea, see a Santa, play cards, do a puzzle, or see a Longaberger basket or season socks without thinking of her again. The color purple, going to Ocean City, reading something about Cal Ripken Jr. or hearing a Randy Travis song are all things that will trigger memories of her for us all.

She surprised us when we were younger with stories of playing basketball when she was in high school and when we didn't believe her, she challenged us to a race across the yard. She always had a good sense of humor, even when one of us would hide her teeth after she went to bed, or when a certain young grandchild called her a "stupid old lady"!

She loved holidays and made them very special for us. Our Easter baskets would be filled to over flowing. Valentines Day she sent us all candy. And even this last Christmas, when she was so sick, she personally shopped and wrapped gifts for all of us, even for those who are not officially family.

Grandmom also made us work! From helping maintain her flower beds, to waxing and washing the windows of their buses, to making applesauce and canning peaches. Sometimes, if we assured her we knew what we were doing, she would let us hang her clothes on the line, because it was a science to her! But, she always rewarded us many times over for the work she made us do. She was always buying something for someone. Or taking us to Jimmy Cone, the snow cone stand, Friendly's or Twin Kiss.

Spending the night was always a treat, even though when we were little she did powder our butts and armpits after our bubble baths! We all had our own labeled toothbrushes that she kept for us in the bathroom closet. She let you stay up late, drink coke out of little glasses and eat a bowl of ice cream no matter what night of the week it was. We did have to endure countless hours of the Grand Ole' Opry, but somehow we survived.

We were all amazed how she could keep on going these last two years when things became so tough for her. She continued to knit and bake pies even after she lost six of her fingers. She still called all of us to see how we were doing and what was going on in our lives. Even up to a month ago she was sending packages in the mail to those of us that lived far away. Or making sure we had our favorite foods at the house when we came to visit. Her will to have life be as normal as it could be, even when life was so difficult for her, was an example to us all.

We will all miss hearing her say, "Someone fill the glasses with ice, but don't give me too much." or "Make sure you give me the little fork" or "If Cal Ripken ever kissed my cheek, I would never wash it again." We will miss sitting on the swing with her in the backyard. We will miss seeing her reading her magazines or doing a crossword puzzle in her chair by the window. Seeing her diamond heart necklace around her neck, her many bracelets around her wrist, her apron around her waist cooking us all a meal in her kitchen.

More than any of the things we mentioned about our grandmom, we know and will always know that she loved us all dearly. We take comfort in that fact that she is now in heaven, whole again, taking the walks she loved so much and enjoying singing in the choir once again.

As you can see, she will be missed by a lot of people. We love you Grandmom! You will be in our hearts forever.